Keeping Our Nation Strong and Secure. Steny Hoyer has always backed a strong national defense, even before the terrorist attacks of September 11th demonstrated national security vulnerabilities. He played a key role in relocating 5,000 employees to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, a move that is revitalizing the local economy and ensuring the future stability at the base. Representatives of the private-sector Navy Alliance have called his efforts on behalf of Southern Maryland's three military bases "masterful." He also worked hard to protect the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head, preserving 3,000 jobs. And he is a strong supporter of our military personnel, helping to pass a 4.6 percent military pay raise in 2001, and a 4.1 percent pay raise in 2003 and in 2004. Congressman Hoyer also has an unwavering commitment to veterans, and has consistently supported increased funding for veterans health care, cost-of-living increases in Veterans Administration benefits and played an integral role in passing legislation that allowed service-disabled veterans to receive both retiree and disability benefits.