Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) hailed House passage of a supplemental defense spending bill for Fiscal Year 2009 that includes a major boost in funding he requested for work performed at Lima's Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC).
"This is great news both for our troops and for the men and women at JSMC who provide the military with the equipment it needs to defend our nation," Jordan said.
The bill, which passed the House on a vote of 368 to 60 today, provides additional funding for Department of Defense and Department of State operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A total of $451.1 million will go toward the purchase of Stryker light armored vehicles, the upper hull of which is produced at JSMC. Jordan spearheaded efforts in the House to increase this number from the $112.7 million originally requested by the administration, citing the urgent need for Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicles (MEVs) that are helping to save lives on the battlefield. He led 117 of his colleagues in a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking for this additional funding for Stryker MEV acquisition.
Also included in the bill is $100 million for Abrams tank upgrades performed at JSMC and related sites. Jordan committed his support for Abrams upgrade programs to the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees earlier this year.
Jordan said he expects the funding package to head for the President's desk after Senate action on it.
"This legislation honors the service and sacrifice of our troops, providing them with the resources they need," Jordan said. "We must remain steadfast in our commitment to a strong national defense in the face of the many threats we must confront."