In the News

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, more than a year into his job in Washington, D.C., is learning the ropes.

Asked if he supports President Trump's idea of having a parade to honor the nation's military, Arrington did some fancy Texas two-stepping.

Like everyone, Arrington said, he "loves" the men and women who serve in the nation's military.

"I am grateful beyond words for their sacrifice," he said. "I want to celebrate them every way I can."

A red, white and blue statement by a congressman who, by the way, is up for re-election.

But then he paused and said there are better ways to support the military than a parade. So, yes, he's going against the president on this one.

"I don't think it's the right approach," said the congressman who represents the 19th Congressional District, which includes Taylor County.

The best approach is more substantive support of the military. And that's why he greatly supported the Bipartisan Budget Act that passed the House and Senate, though not without a brief second shutdown of the government.

Yes, continuing deficit spending "was my biggest struggle," Arrington said. But what the military gains, and what Texas gains, was more important.

And, he said, adding to defense spending while "limiting the amount non-defense spending" and re-prioritizing in other areas, such as infrastructure and disaster relief, is the best course.

Arington spoke with the Reporter-News before the votes that sent the spending plan to President Trump who added his signature Friday.

Trump tweeted his pleasure with adding $165 billion to defense.

That, Arrington said, reverses the course of the Obama administration that the congressman said has left the United States ill-prepared for today's global threats. He said the previous administration's cuts of almost $200 billion were "reckless."

Now, over the next two years, a "down payment" will be made to erase that deficit.

The $716 billion for defense provides funding for adding troops and airmen, including pilots and mechanics, to the Air Force. Gen. Steve Wilson, vice chief of staff for the Air Force, said his branch is 50 percent ready to defend the country.

Arrington said a recent briefing on military preparedness was "sobering. It's scary after the fifth briefing."

Cutting military funding resulted in cutting training and maintenance.

Asked if being blunt about the state of our nation's military sends the wrong message to our enemies, Arrington said the Pentagon is saying the same thing and that the American people need to know the reality.

"We have to be open and transparent. We have to have these debates," he said. "We still are the greatest fighting machine in the world but we must explain our priorities."

Dyess Air Force Base, Arrington said, benefits. Airmen will be paid on time this year, and see their first pay increase in five years. Research and development of the B-21 bomber, which West Texas hopes lands at the Abilene base, will continue.

Previously he noted how long-term military planning had taken a hit. That changes now.

Upgrades of ships, aircraft and facilities can move forward, he said.

The budget included funds for disaster relief in Texas and other areas affected by natural disasters in 2017, he said.

Included was a farm policy fix that restores cotton to the agriculture safety net. Arrington was pushing for this outside the politically charged farm bill, tying it to Hurricane Harvey relief in Texas. The ag industry also took a big hit from the storm.

"This farm policy fix will save billions of dollars and secure a prosperous future for the next generation of West Texans," Arrington said.

Another winner for West Texas is extra Medicare reimbursement for hospitals with a high number of those patients but low overall volume. This speaks to rural hospitals in this region. Arrington said about 20 rural hospitals out of 163 in Texas closed during the days of Obamacare and 40 percent of the surviving hospitals "operate at a net loss."

"This is life-saving," he said.

Arrington was thankful the "dreamer" issue was left out of the budget process.

"We need to fix it, but separate and apart" from setting a budget, he said.

What needed fixing first, though, was defense funding.

Thus, by saying "actions speak louder than words," Arrington was saying legislation was more important than a parade.

Our enemies, he said, know the risk of being on the wrong side with the United States.

That respect is not based on a parade but knowing the U.S. military is well trained, fully equipped and ready to go at a moment's notice.

https://www.reporternews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2018/02/11/money-u-s-defense-better-than-parade/324153002/