“It’s time for Democrats to join Republicans in passing a defense funding bill – and stop blocking the troops’ hard-earned pay raise.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked, for the second time, the Senate from moving forward with a vote on a defense funding bill that includes the largest pay raise in a decade for U.S. troops.

“Democrats once again marched in lock-step and voted against funding our military. They blocked the largest pay raise in a decade for our troops.

“The stakes are too high for Democrats to continue playing games with national security. This weekend’s successful raid to kill al-Baghdadi reminds us that U.S. troops serve in harm’s way. Our military carries out dangerous, critical missions around the world.

“Wyoming has about 1,500 members of the Wyoming National Guard. Four hundred are currently serving overseas. It is our largest deployment in a decade. This bill will not only affect the paychecks of our troops, it will provide much-needed resources to help them successfully carry out their missions.

“It’s time for Democrats to join Republicans in passing a defense funding bill – and stop blocking the troops’ hard-earned pay raise.”

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