Bond: Defense Bill Addresses Dangerous Fighter Aircraft Shortage

Press Release

Language Senator Bond Fought for Included in Final Bill -- Vital to National Security and Missouri Jobs

With a vote in the Senate today, Congress approved legislation that will help address our military's dangerous fighter aircraft shortage. The final Defense Authorization bill included a key provision sought by U.S. Senator Kit Bond that will prevent the Navy from having empty carrier decks, save hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars and ensure the long-term security of the St. Louis-made Super Hornets' production line.

"In an uncertain and dangerous world, America must have the right tools to meet current and emerging threats and a fighter aircraft shortage would threaten that mission," said Bond. "The multiyear provision will ensure our military has the fighter aircraft needed to continue taking the fight to the enemy and keeping our families safe here at home."

Today the Senate passed the conference report for the fiscal year 2010 Defense Authorization bill. Passed earlier this month by the House, the bill will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. The final bill includes key language Bond fought for that encourages the military to enter into a multiyear procurement contract for F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft and provides an additional $108 million in advance procurement funds.

Bond stressed that this multiyear language is essential to addressing our military's fighter aircraft shortage. The President has slated the mainstay of the Navy -- the Super Hornet -- to be replaced with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Unfortunately, according to the Navy, the F-35 will not be ready in time to keep pace with retiring aircraft, resulting in a Navy fighter shortfall of 243 aircraft within the next decade. This dangerous shortage amounts to 5 empty carrier decks without fighter aircraft -- an unacceptable outcome if the United States aims to remain the world's only superpower.

Bond stressed that aircraft carriers are America's primary means for projecting power and promoting stability throughout the world. It is too dangerous to risk our ability to project U.S. power from aircraft carriers, particularly as basing rights and access to hot spots becomes more difficult. The multiyear language the Senator fought to include in the bill passed by Congress today will allow the military to purchase additional Super Hornets -- at a lower cost to taxpayers -- to bridge the gap until the F-35 is available to the Navy.

In addition to addressing our military's fighter shortage and ensuring our military is able to continue a robust national security mission, the multiyear language is good for taxpayers and good for jobs in Missouri and across the nation. According to a recent Secretary of Defense report, even a three year multiyear purchase would save half a billion dollars for the government and a five year multiyear could save over 10 percent and at least $850 million. For workers, the multiyear language will ensure that the Super Hornet production line remains open -- protecting over 100,000 American jobs at 1,900 companies in 46 states. In Missouri, this language will protect 4,000 direct Boeing jobs and 24,600 jobs at the 191 Super Hornet suppliers across the state. For Missouri, the annual economic impact of keeping the Super Hornet line open is $964.7 million.

While Bond supported the passage of today's Defense Authorization bill, he strongly objects to the attachment of federal Hate Crimes legislation to the final bill. The Senator, who signed into law Missouri's hate crimes bill when he served as Governor, stressed his support for tough sentences for all offenders, particularly violent and repeat offenders. However, Bond emphasized that prosecution of crimes against a person is a state matter and should be handled by state officials and legislatures. Bond disagrees with the Democrats' expansion of the federal government's jurisdiction at the expense of states' rights and opposes strongly the Democrat stunt to saddle this non-germane measure on an un-related defense bill that's primary purpose is to provide for our troops and the equipment they need to secure our nation.

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