DeLauro Praises Passage of Defense Authorization Bill

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that makes key investments to improve the lives of servicemembers and military families, while also strengthening our national security."I am proud to support the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that honors our values, strengthens our security, and advances our leadership in the world," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "As a nation, we are deeply indebted to our women and men in uniform, and to the families and communities who support them. This bill honors their service, responsibly invests in our national security, and includes important wins for working people in Connecticut and across the country. In particular, the NDAA authorizes billions in funding for helicopters, combat aircraft, submarines, and more-all of which support good-paying jobs for workers in Connecticut's aerospace and defense manufacturing industries."

This year's Defense Authorization bill authorizes funding for projects that are critical to Connecticut including:

• 48 UH-60M Blackhawks, built at Sikorsky;
• 9 CH-53Kheavy-lift helicopters, built at Sikorsky;
• Columbia-class development;
• 80 F-35 aircraftfor the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and reprioritizes F-35 program funding that would accelerate and bolster F-35 maintenance activities and procurement of additional engine modules, built at Pratt & Whitney.

The NDAA also:

• Sustains the two-per-year build rate of new Virginia-class submarines in 2022 and beyond;
• Authorizes $17 million for the Connecticut Air National Guard's Aerospace Ground Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The facility is the last major C-130 specific mission-driven project to execute on Bradley Air National Guard Base since the installation started the conversion to the C-130 aircraft back in 2013, which will ensure mission readiness of the 103rd Air Wing;
• Authorizes $7 million to continue development of unmanned logistics capabilities with the CQ-24A KMAX helicopter manufactured by Bloomfield-based Kaman Aerospace.

Congresswoman DeLauro continued, "The NDAA helps counter threats from the People's Republic of China, Russia, and others. As it protects our nation, this bill sustains and advances our industrial base and ensures our troops have the tools to succeed against our adversaries. This legislation also provides critical quality of life improvements for our servicemembers and their families by including an increase in military basic pay, parental leave, and child care improvements. As we continue to confront the complex challenges our nation faces, I will keep fighting to honor our commitment to our troops and ensure the safety of Connecticut families."