FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2006DEFENSE BILL BENEFITS CONNECTICUT, FIRST DISTRICT
WASHINGTON � U.S. Representative John B. Larson (CT-1) late last night supported American troops by voting in favor of the conference report for H.R. 5631, the Fiscal Year 2007 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The bill provides $447.4 billion for military and defense funding.
The bill includes $70 billion in funding for the War in Iraq. Larson stated, �While I have been a steadfast opponent of the war, our men and women in combat deserve our full support. It is particularly frustrating to see the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate which concludes that the War in Iraq �has become the �cause celebre� for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of U.S. involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.� The War in Iraq has already cost $318.5 billion with Secretary Rumsfeld unable to account for $9 billion of this expenditure. That $9 billion means jobs here in America. We need to hold the Department of Defense more accountable if we are going to entrust them with taxpayer�s dollars.�
Larson added: �The defense industry plays a vital role in Connecticut�s economy and this bill provides millions of dollars for the state to retain and grow jobs. This bill is good for Connecticut and good for the First District.�
The bill also includes funding for major defense projects that are important to Connecticut:
$480 million to procure two F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, $219 million in advanced procurement of 12 JSFs in 2008, and $4.3 billion for research and development on the aircraft
$2.7 billion to procure 20 F/A 22 Raptor attack aircraft
$4.3 billion for 22 C-17 Globemasters
$898 million to procure 59 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for the Army and National Guard
$549 million to procure 18 MH-60S Navy Knighthawk helicopters
$920 million to procure 25 MH-60R Navy Seahawk helicopters
$2.5 billion to procure one Virginia class attack submarine
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