Cravaack, Kline named as conferees to committee on National Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. – Eighth District U.S. Rep Chip Cravaack, R-MN, and Second District U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-MN, have been chosen to serve on the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to preside over the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA), and to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense.
“I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues toward the best bill to ensure our continued national security,” said Rep. Cravaack.
The conference committee, a temporary panel of House and Senate negotiators, will convene immediately to resolve differences in the House and Senate-passed versions of the bill. Conferees are selected from the standing committees of each chamber which originally considered the legislation.
Rep. Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota.
“It is an honor and a privilege to play a direct role in crafting and passing legislation that supports our troops, veterans, and their families,” said Kline. “As a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps, I remain committed to ensuring our troops have the equipment, resources, and support they need to do their jobs as effectively as possible.”
Earlier this year, Kline ensured a nationwide expansion of the Minnesota National Guard’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” reintegration program was included in the bipartisan national defense bill that passed the House of Representatives just days before thousands of Minnesota Guard members deployed to Kuwait and Iraq for “Operation New Dawn,” the final phase of “Iraqi Freedom.”
“During these challenging economic times, it is more important than ever for communities to pull together to ensure all of our troops receive the support and assistance they need when they return home to their families, their communities, and their jobs,” said Kline, whose son has served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Congressman Kline is one of the foremost experts in Congress on defense and veterans issues, and his commonsense leadership will be a welcome voice in deliberations about how to proceed on our national defense bill,” said Speaker John Boehner. “He has shown that he’s solid, serious, and tough enough to do the right thing on behalf of our troops, their families, and all American taxpayers.”
In his fifth term, Congressman Kline is the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. He also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
