Allen, Raskin Introduce Amendment to Department of Defense Appropriations Act
Washington,
June 28, 2018
WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, an annual piece of legislation that appropriates funds to the Department of Defense to ensure that our Armed Forces are fully equipped to meet the current threats to our nation by a vote of 359-49. U.S. Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 6157 with Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08). The amendment allocates $10,000,000 to the Defense POW (Prisoner of War)/Missing Persons Accounting Agency to assist in identifying unclaimed remains that have been missing since the Korean conflict, and is completely offset by reducing spending in other accounts. The Allen/Raskin Amendment passed with unanimous bipartisan support. Congressman Allen spoke on the House floor in support of the amendment, and excerpts of his speech can be found below. To view his full remarks, please CLICK HERE. “As of today, there are almost 7,700 total personnel missing and unaccounted for since the Korean conflict. One of those still unaccounted for is Private First Class Ivan Roberts, a proud native of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Private First Class Roberts, I was able to meet his family and loved ones at a recent Memorial Ceremony in his honor – and I know he was a beloved hero and patriot whose family wants peace and closure. As you may know, in the recent historic summit between President Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, President Trump asked that North Korea return remains of U.S. service members lost in the Korean War—and Kim Jong Un agreed. There are currently over 200 missing service members in the process of being returned to the United States. My colleague and I want to ensure that the Defense POW/Missing Persons Accounting Agency has the resources it needs to identify the remains and carry out this important mission so that families can finally find an eternal resting place for their loved ones. I’d like to thank my colleague from Maryland, Congressman Jamie Raskin, for joining me in introducing this important amendment.” Congressman Jamie Raskin said the following about the amendment, “Thousands of military personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. I am proud to work with my colleague, Mr. Allen, on a bipartisan basis to ensure that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has sufficient resources to fulfill our national responsibility to provide a full accounting to their families and loved ones of those left behind on the field of battle.” ### |
