U.S. Representative Hal Rogers applauds House passage of the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations conference report. He released a statement on HR 1301, a $577.9 billion Defense spending bill, saying he is pleased that it will take care of our troops and their families by granting them a long awaited 2.1% pay raise. The bill includes the pay raise, improves military readiness, invests in new aircraft and ships, and boosts efforts to defeat terrorist groups. The legislation also continues support for the National Guard Counter Drug program with $234 million.