Defense Authorization Passes Key Senate Committee, Includes Delaware Projects
Bill Includes Across the Board Military Pay Raise
May 15, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Joe Biden and Tom Carper announced today that a key Senate Committee approved annual legislation that authorizes critical measures to strengthen the United States' national defense capabilities.
The Senate Armed Service Committee’s Fiscal Year 2004 National Defense Authorization Bill authorizes $400.5 billion for next year’s defense programs, nearly $18 billion more than was appropriated by Congress last year.
Among the highlights of the package is a 3.7% across-the-board pay raise for all uniformed service personnel and targeted pay raises of 5.25% to 6.25% for mid career personnel; an increase in the monthly family separation allowance; and increases in dangerous duty pay and a monthly incentive pay for military personnel station in Korea.
According to Senators Biden and Carper, the bill also includes $28.1 million in funding for military construction projects vital to Dover Air Force Base and over $488 million for C-5 modernization programs.
• $19.6 million for 112 new family housing units at Dover AFB;
• $8.5 million for new Control Tower at Dover; • $185.363 million for the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program, which includes a $39.4 million increase sought by the Senators to ensure that the entire fleet would be done by FY07;
• $290.507 million for the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program;
• $12.2 million for smaller C-5 upgrades.
In addition, the Committee’s 2004 National Defense Authorization Bill includes funding for National Guard priorities and protective gear for military personnel:
• 1,401 additional full-time personnel for the Army and Air Guard;
• $237.7 million for 17 UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters, adding 7 to the President’s request;
• $88.4 million for 12 additional Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Teams bringing the total number of teams to 44;
• $24 million for cold weather clothing made by W.L. Gore;
"Now, more than ever, it is essential that our military have the capacity, the capability, and the resources they need to respond to any and all threats against the United States," said Biden. “The pay and benefit improvements in this bill ensure that the brave men and women who make our military the world’s best are taken care of. The rest of this funding ensures that they have the equipment, training, and infrastructure they need to stay the best. ”
“By including critical funds for new construction efforts and C-5 modernization, the defense bill makes it clear that Congress is committed to the future of Dover Air Force Base," said Carper. "The new money would help build new family housing units, a new control tower and upgrade much of the C-5 fleet. In addition, the defense bill would ensure that Delaware's National Guard, which has served so honorably since the attacks of September 11 and the recent war in Iraq, has the resources it needs to continue protecting the homeland during these critical times."
The Committee’s Fiscal Year 2004 Department of Defense Authorization must next be sent to the full Senate for approval.
