INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO MAKE MAYPORT NUCLEAR CAPABLE FOR FUTURE AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Washington, Jun 20, 2005 - “This measure provides our troops with the equipment, supplies, and training they need to complete their difficult missions,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-6th). “I am also pleased that it includes language I support asking the Navy to accelerate plans for making Mayport capable of home basing a nuclear aircraft carrier. Although we are working against the proposal to retire the USS Kennedy early, it eventually will be retired and we need to ensure that Mayport is nuclear capable to preserve a second base on the east coast for our carrier fleet. We have four different homeports serving carriers deployed to the Pacific Ocean, and we need the security of a second home base at Mayport for nuclear carriers deployed to the Atlantic Ocean.”

The House this evening is expected to approve H.R. 2863, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The measure provides $409 billion, including fully funding the 3.1-percent pay increase for military personnel. H.R. 2863 includes $363.7 billion for the operations of the Defense Department and $45.3 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.