DeLauro Praises Passage of Defense Reauthorization Bill
Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) praised the passage today of the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will make significant investments in all aspects of our nation's military. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 229 to 186.
"This legislation will strengthen our country through improving our national security, providing our military with the tools they need to do their jobs, and ensuring our brave men and women in uniform and their families are supported. America has the finest military in the world, and this bill is a step forward in making certain our troops are prepared for whatever threats and challenges they meet, and strengthens our military both here at home and abroad.
"This legislation is a sound and balanced approach to addressing the challenges of today while being prepared to meet whatever threats may be on the horizon. Additionally, it honors our commitment to our troops by providing a 1.9 percent pay increase, increases the family separation allowance for those men and women who are deployed far from home, increases hostile fire and imminent danger pay, boosts college loan repayments, and enables military families to extend TRICARE coverage to their children until age 26.
"The legislation will support our military readiness by adding 7,000 Army troops and 500 Air Force personnel, supply the National Guard and Reserve with the funding they need to be effective, and increases Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funding to support the daily operations, training, and administration of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. Additionally, it will provide funding for nuclear nonproliferation efforts that are critical to our national security.
"I am also very pleased with the inclusion of a critical element to the final bill: an amendment that will ensure that the competitive bidding procedures at the Department of Defense (DOD) take into account any unfair advantages, and require them to be reported to Congress. This will mean that the bidding competition for the KC-X tanker contract between Boeing and Airbus/ EADS will become a fairer fight. The Pentagon must now take into account the $6 billion in illegal subsidies that Airbus/ EADS received from foreign governments.
"I am very disappointed that the amendment to strip the funding for the extra alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter did not pass. However, I am encouraged that the Senate Defense Authorization bill does not include funding for this wasteful and unnecessary project. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that the entire bill will not be vetoed, as Secretary Gates has recommended, if funding is included for an engine that our services say they do not want and do not need."
Additionally, the FY11 Defense Authorization Bill included authorized funding for the following projects of interest to Connecticut:
Sikorsky:
Army UH-60 Blackhawks: The bill authorizes 74 aircraft ($1.39 billion)
Navy MH60-S: The bill authorizes 18 aircraft ($548.7 million)
Navy MH60-R: The bill authorizes 24 aircraft ($1.06 billion)
CH-53K Heavy-Lift Helicopter: The bill authorizes $577.4 million (R&D)
VH-71 Presidential Helicopter: The bill supports the acquisition strategy of the Navy to develop a new presidential helicopter and requires a formal annual report by GAO analyzing the cost schedule program to make sure that the problems of the VH-71 are not repeated.
Pratt:
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: The bill authorizes the President's budget request for 42 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (23 F-35A, 13 F-35B, 7 F-35C).
Metals Affordability Initiative: $10 million
Other:
Middletown Armed Forces Reserve Center: Designated as the "Major General Maurice Rose Armed Forces Reserve Center" after a World War II commander from Middletown who was killed in the war.
Submarine Group Two Headquarters, Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton: The bill authorizes $550,000 for the planning and design costs related the construction of a new headquarters facility for the staff of Commander, Submarine Group Two (COMSUBGRU TWO).