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This week, the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill will now go to the President to be signed into law. Once signed, this will mark the first time in years Congress has ensured on time funding to our military.

Yesterday, the Department of Defense announced a $52,462,485 contract award to GE Aviation in Vandalia, Ohio. Chairman Mike Turner (OH-10) of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces authorized these funds for electrical systems for the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

Today, the President signed into law the first installment of the $182 million building expansion project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) secured in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19). Language was included in the military construction appropriations bill signed today to make a portion of $182 million "immediately available" for construction in 2019.

Today, the House approved the first installment of the $182 million building expansion project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) that Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) secured in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19). Language was included in the military construction appropriations conference report passed today to make a portion of $61 million "immediately available" for construction in 2019—bypassing administrative burden.

This week, Representatives Mike Turner (R-OH-10) and Niki Tsongas (D-MA-3), co-chairs of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus, called on the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) to address a report from the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) that identified the VBA mishandled hundreds of benefit claims submitted by military sexual assault survivors in 2017. In a letter to VA Under Secretary Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, Reps.

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) wrote today to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing his strong opposition to President Trump's decision to cancel the 2.1 percent pay increase and locality pay increases expected for civilian federal workers in 2019. Additionally, he urged Congress to reinstate the increases for civilian federal workers before the end of the fiscal year.

Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) asked Wright-Patterson Installation Commander Col. Thomas Sherman for a briefing to learn what led to the active shooter false alarm and an assessment of lessons learned from the response.

"Our local first responders were tremendous yesterday," said Congressman Turner. "They were on the scene immediately to assist when they were called. However, there are still a lot questions left unanswered and I would like to know how this happened and how we can better respond in the future. I look forward to Col. Sherman being able to brief me and the local responders who have mutual aid agreements with the base."

Chairman Mike Turner (OH-10) of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces released the following statement after Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, announced her retirement: