Washington, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives overrode President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA funds defense and related programs and is usually one of the largest pieces of legislation that Congress passes each year. This year, the bill includes $732 billion in discretionary spending for our national defense for FY 2021, including approximately $69 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).
“Connecticut is a leader in the defense industry and advanced manufacturing,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). “This bill ensures our armed forces remain unrivaled in the world, and that many of the technologies that secure that dominance are developed right here, supporting Connecticut companies and Connecticut workers.”
The NDAA contains significant funds for Connecticut-based companies, employing thousands of workers. This includes:
- $8.7 billion for the procurement of 93 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
- $898 million for procurement of 60 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters built by Sikorsky.
- $800 million for procurement of 7 new CH-53K Marine heavy-lift helicopters built by Sikorsky.
- $909 million for procurement of 16 HH-60W Air Force search and rescue helicopters built by Sikorsky.
- $589 million for procurement of 5 VH-92A aircraft, which will be the next-generation presidential helicopter.
- $6.8 billion for the Virginia class submarine program, an increase of $2.6 billion over the budget request, to restore a second submarine in 2021.
- $4 billion to initiate construction of the new Columbia-class submarine. The Navy recently announced the award of $10.3 billion in contracting options for the first two submarines in the program to Electric Boat.
- $2.8 billion for continued development of the B-21 Raider. Pratt & Whitney is a partner in the next-generation long range strike bomber program.
- $2.7 billion for 15 KC-46A tanker aircraft, which are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
- C-130H Modernization – $134 million for additional upgrades for engines, propellers and other systems on the aircraft.
- $7 million to continue development of the KMAX Unmanned Helicopter and unmanned logistics capabilities with the CQ-24A helicopter manufactured by Bloomfield-based Kaman Aerospace.
- $20 million to support training programs to help support expansion of the skilled submarine workforce.
- $10 million to support partnerships with academic institutions that conduct research on undersea unmanned warfare and energy technology, such as the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, a collaborative program between the University of Connecticut and the University of Rhode Island.
In addition, the NDAA contains provisions that provide for a three percent pay raise for military personnel, invests in pandemic preparedness, increases diversity in the armed forces, and removes Confederate names from American military facilities.
For more information or with any questions, contact Patrick Malone at Patrick.malone@mail.house.gov.
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