Rep. Martha McSally has added an amendment to the proposed Department of Defense budget for 2017 (H.R. 5293) that would severely restrict funding for military band performances. This amendment states that "none of the funds made available by this Act may be used for performances by a military musical unit (as defined in section 974 of title 10, United States Code) described in paragraph (2)(B) or (3) of subsection (a) of such section." This would limit band performances so that they could not participate in: patriotic parades or concerts (including July 4th), official receptions and banquets, concerts for troops in war zones, state funerals, even the national anthem at almost any event. If these events were contracted to civilian musicians the cost would be significantly higher.
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