Simmons Once Again Delivers For Connecticut's Defense Industries
Simmons Once Again Delivers For Connecticut's Defense Industries
House-Passed Defense Spending Bill Has Projects Big and Small For Connecticut
Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, today announced that the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations bill. The annual spending measure contains a number of items important to Connecticut's defense workers, including funding for multi-year procurement submarine manufacturing and design, additional Blackhawk helicopters, and Pratt & Whitney engine assembly.
"Once again, the House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that funds programs vital to the Second District and the state of Connecticut," Simmons said. "As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, it is my job to fight very hard for federal dollars that keep work at the yards at Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney. Just as important are the dozens of other small- and medium-sized defense companies in the district that have a subcontracting and supplier role in these projects."
The annual Defense spending bill, which passed the House by a vote of 398 to 19, includes:
***$2.4 billion for one Virginia-class submarine. Electric Boat in Groton and Newport News (VA) build the Virginia Class in a teaming agreement;
***$4.9 billion for continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), $3.8 billion for procurement of 24 F-22 fighter aircraft, $3.2 billion for procurement of 15 C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft. All JSF, F-22 and C-17 engines are assembled at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown.
$660 million for 45 Blackhawk helicopters, assembled by Sikorsky in Stratford;
***$4.5 million for the Navy's Virginia Class Multi Mission Module at Electric Boat in Groton;
***$4.5 million for SSGN UUV Integration Program at Electric Boat in Groton;
***$3 million for Large Aperture Bow (LAB) Array for Virginia Class at Electric Boat in Groton;
***$3 million for Affordable Towed Array Construction at PVI Systems in Niantic;
***$2 million for DoD Copper-Based Casting Technology at Phelps Dodge in Norwich;
***$2.7 million for Rapid Wall Breaching Kit at Ensign-Bickford in Simsbury.
Simmons concluded, "Tonight's action by the House shows that Connecticut's defense industries continue to be an integral part of our nation's military. I am pleased with this bill and will continue to work hard as Connecticut's only member of the House Armed Services Committee to ensure that the innovation and skill of the Connecticut worker remains part of the foundation of our national and homeland security."
http://simmons.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=29234