Sullivan Votes for Short-term Funding Measure, Highlights $200 Million Boost to Alaska-based Missile Defense Funding and Reauthorization of CHIP

Statement

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting in support of the continuing resolution, which funds the federal government until January 19, 2018, funds the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and provides $200 million in military construction for an additional missile field of 20 Ground-Based Interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska.

"While I fundamentally disagree with this process for funding our government -- stopgap measure to stopgap measure, today's action will ensure the U.S. government and economy remain open and operational through the New Year," said Senator Sullivan. "Importantly, this funding extension contains some very important priorities, including the critical reauthorization of the CHIP program -- also known as Denali KidCare in Alaska -- which has successfully served Alaskan families and children for years, and a significant boost to our national security in the form of a $200 million increase to missile defense spending and construction at Ft. Greely. This provision, which I called for in my bill --the Advancing America's Missile Defense Act -- was included and authorized in the FY2018 NDAA, and will ensure U.S. missile defense stays ahead of the rapidly increasing threat from North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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