Thune Amendment to Preserve Next Generation Bomber Program Moves Forward with Defense Authorization Bill

Press Release

Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously approved the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill authorizes $680 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects.

During the Armed Services Committee markup of the bill, Senator Thune included an amendment to preserve the Next Generation Bomber program. The Next Generation Bomber program has been targeted for termination by the Obama Administration, even though almost half of the nation's bomber inventory pre-dates the Cuban Missile Crisis. In response to this proposal, Senator Thune introduced legislation earlier this year known as the Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act (S. 1044), which formed the basis of the Thune Amendment ultimately adopted during markup of the Defense Authorization bill. Not only is the Next Generation Bomber important for our nation's future security needs, but Ellsworth Air Force Base is uniquely suited to be the bed down location for the long range strike platform.

"Preserving our nation's ability to project power is critically important as we face a future where we may be unable to obtain access to forward bases not to mention that potential adversaries continue to acquire sophisticated air defense systems," said Thune. "The adoption of my amendment is a step toward preserving this important long range strike capability."

The bill also contains several additional items that directly impact South Dakota in the near term.

"South Dakota's Armed Forces personnel, military facilities, and research institutions make significant contributions to our national defense. By investing in these projects, we are ensuring America's men and women in uniform are prepared to meet any challenge in defending our country and defending freedom around the globe. South Dakota's projects are well-represented in the Armed Services Committee bill, and I will work to maintain them in the final version of the bill."

Senator Thune is a member of the Armed Services Committee and is the ranking Republican on the Airland Subcommittee, which oversees Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps tactical aviation programs in addition to Army programs.

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