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| Wilson Welcomes House Passage of Defense Bill |
May 17, 2007 |
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Kirtland PJ School, NM-Based Research Projects Supported By House
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced that two New Mexico-based projects she requested are included in the National Security Authorization Act, which passed the House today 397-27 with Wilson`s support.
The bill authorizes $3.7 million for the Pararescue Jumper Training School at Kirtland Air Force Base, at Wilson`s request. The project will allow the Air Forces special operations training program to be expanded, replacing buildings that are outdated and too small to accommodate the needs of the training effort.
The bill also authorizes a project, known as the Satellite Active Imaging National Testbed Program (SAINT), at $3 million at Wilson`s request.
“New Mexico has a unique role in our national security. The PJ School at Kirtland trains the best of the best. We need more Special Forces and that means we need to expand and improve the school that trains them," Wilson said. “New Mexico is a leader in technology-based research and development, so the SAINT project is another great fit.”
The SAINT program expands the Air Force`s space situational awareness capability. It focuses the capabilities of the Air Force Research Laboratory to conduct and expand space object identification and capabilities analysis at Low Earth Orbit and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit.
The SAINT program also builds on the capability of the advanced laser development laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base for the development of the SAINT transmitter illumination laser.
Additionally, Wilson welcomed a $1.688 million in funding for a Fuel Unload Facility at Kirtland Air Force Base -- a project requested by the Air Force in their budget. This will continue to improve the value of Kirtland and protect it from base closure.
Highlights of the National Security Authorization Act:
Authorizes $1 billion for National Guard equipment. The New Mexico National Guard has been dramatically underfunded.
Improves National Guard readiness ratings by requiring an estimate of response capabilities to national disasters, no longer just wartime readiness.
Authorizes an additional 36,000 Army troops to increase end strength, as well as 9,000 Marines and 1,300 Army National Guard.
Authorizes $4.1 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.
Authorizes $1.2 billion for personal body armor.
Authorizes a pay increase of 3.5 percent across-the-board for all service members.
Prohibits a cost increase in healthcare fees for troops, both Tricare and pharmacy, saving service members and their families over $1.8 billion.
Includes the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act establishing new requirements and training to prevent problems like those experienced at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Establishes a military mental health initiative coordinating programs and research.
Includes a Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative helping new technologies and treatments emerge.
Invests in military construction to accommodate end strength increases through a “grow the force” initiative authorized at $2.3 billion.
Empowers Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to maximize its capabilities. A SOCOM unit will be based in New Mexico at Cannon Air Force Base.
Authorizes Department of Energy NNSA Nonproliferation programs.
Authorizes $14.2 billion for the Department of Energy Atomic Energy Defense activities, including work at Sandia and Los Alamos laboratories.
Concerns within the legislation:
Slashes missile defense by $764 million.
Cuts authorization for funding of the Army’s Future Combat System tested in New Mexico by more than 25 percent.
Reduces the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $45 million. However, Wilson welcomes the report of the Commission on Strategic Posture as a step in the debate on the future of nuclear weapons.
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