MacArthur provisions added to defense spending, fishing bills

Federal measures governing military spending and oversight of fishing interests proceed with new language inserted by shore Representative Tom MacArthur (R-3).

With protection of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) as a priority, the freshman Republican crafted a measure to ensure continuation of service for the KC-10 - the aircraft at the foundation of JBMDL operations.

The provision was proposed for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016.

"And I'm pleased to say it passed with bipartisan support," MacArthur said. "I proposed it, Congressman [Donald] Norcross (D-1) also co-sponsored it. So, for now, the KC-10 is safe."

MacArthur also partnered with Texas Republican John Ratcliffe on a provision to forestall any base realignments and closures (BRAC)in FY 2016. He says there's no upside for American defense or personal finances.

"BRAC does not make sense. It always ends up costing taxpayers more, and saving them less, than it's proposed," MacArthur said.

JBMDL is considered one of Ocean County's largest employers in both public and private sectors, and an active partner with private-sector contractors for supplies and services.

MacArthur also inserted provisions to require the Joint Executive Council of the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans' Affairs to jointly develop solutions for veteran unemployment; to modernize ships using the AEGIS defense system, produced in South Jersey; and for exploring feasibility of equipping global allies with the AEGIS system.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act strives to balance fishing commerce with ecology. But the regulations, says MacArthur, are based on data that's gathered in expensive, unwieldy and sometimes unreliable ways.

"One of the ideas I suggested, that was passed, was using marine students to capture better information on fishing stocks," MacArthur said.

He believes that high-accuracy data will ultimately permit higher catch limits and increase the number of related jobs in Ocean County and throughout the shore.

MacArthur takes your questions Tuesday night, May 5, at 7, during "Ask The Congressman," on News Talk Radio 1160 and 1310, WOBM-AM.