FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2005Congressman Larson Supports Defense-Spending Bill Containing More than $2 Billion for Connecticut
WASHINGTON, D.C. � Congressman John B. Larson joined fellow House members for the approval of a $408.9 billion defense-spending bill that contains more than $2 billion for Connecticut-based defense manufacturers. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2006 (HR 2863) also provides a 3.1 percent pay increase for military personnel and allocates $45.3 billion in emergency supplemental funding to cover operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the first half of the year.
�This bill supports our needs for maintaining maximum military preparedness,� Larson said. �It continues critical defense programs tied to Connecticut. I�m particularly pleased at the continued support for the F/A-22, just one of many examples of the enormous contribution the state�s defense industry and skilled workforce make in giving our Armed Forces their technological edge.�
Funding recommendations for major defense programs important to Connecticut include:
- $3.8 billion for 24 F/A 22 Raptors
- $4.9 billion for research and development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
- $3.2 billion for 15 C-17 transports
- $660 million for 45 UH-60 Black Hawks for the Army and National Guard
- $589 million for 26 MH-60S Navy Nighthawk helicopters
- $559 million for 12 MH-60R Navy Seahawk Helicopters
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