(Washington, DC)—Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II announced $313 million in federal funding to impact Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District and the immediate surrounding area in the House version of the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007.

 The bill, which passed the House on June 20, 2006 by a vote of 400-18, provides $427.6 billion for Defense operations, including $50 billion to support ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The total is $19.1 billion (5%) more than the regular FY 2006 appropriations (not including supplemental bills). The bill includes a 2.2% pay raise for all those serving in the armed forces. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

“While we may differ on how best to bring the War in Iraq to a speedy and successful conclusion, this bill will help ensure the safety of our brave troops in the field. Like so many, I have been stunned to learn about equipment shortages for those in harms way, and believe this bill will provide funds for many of the items our troops need,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Congressman Ike Skelton (MO-04), the Ranking Democrat Member on the Armed Services Committee added, "This bill addresses both the operational demands of the present and preparations that must be made to ensure we continue to have the best prepared, trained and equipped force in the world."

The bill includes $185.8 million for items such as Anti-ballistic Windshield Armor and funding for an Iraq based Mobile Armor Plant to produce armor in theater to help keep troops from being injured. It also includes $357.9 million to help heal those who are wounded with funds for advanced regenerative medicine, skin therapies for burn and limb treatment; advanced lower limb prosthesis for battlefield amputees; surgical wound disinfection and biological agents; and funding for the Armed Forces and Dependants Behavioral Health Readiness Portal. 

The bill includes a $312 million contract to Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. The contract is one of the largest in the Defense Appropriations bill. Since 2000, Lake City has grown from 650 employees to 2,300 employees and continues to grow.

“Residents of Missouri’s Fifth District will participate in keeping our soldiers, sailors and Marines safe with ammunition produced in Independence, Missouri. I believe we should give our troops in harms way the best equipment money can buy.” 

The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant opened in 1941 after a groundbreaking ceremony with then-Senator Harry Truman and produced 2 billion rounds a year in support of WWII. The plant now employs over 2,300 workers, mostly residents of Missouri’s Fifth District. Lake City is the world’s largest manufacturer of small caliber ammunition and is currently operated by Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK). 

“The men and women who work at Lake City have a history of serving our troops in time of war. As in the past, the nation looks to our community to supply our troops with the equipment they need to prevail in this conflict. In a time when good paying manufacturing jobs are hard to find, this contract is a strong investment in our local economy,” said Cleaver.

“I am also very excited about bringing $1 million to the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Rolla to advance their amazing work in helping wounded soldiers heal,” said Cleaver. “For every death in Iraq, seven are wounded. This money will bring the faculties of these Universities together to establish the Consortium for Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration. By working together, these prominent research teams will work to dramatically improve recovery times and outcomes for wounded soldiers.”

 Cleaver announced funds included in the Defense Appropriations bill for the following projects:

• $151.62 million for 5.56mm Ammunition, Army, Navy/Marine Corps. This is the service round for the primary weapon system, M16 and M4 series weapons, for Marines and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) for the Army. Rounds are expended every day in both training and combat throughout the Army and Marine Corps. 

• $91.56 million for 7.62mm Ammunition, Army, Navy/Marine Corps. This is the primary cartridge for the M240 Machine Gun and is expended every day in both training and combat throughout our armed forces. Funding is allocated to ensure that there are sufficient assets on hand to support both the annual training requirements as well as the war reserve material requirement, providing the Army and Marine Corps the operational flexibility to train and support combat operations. 

• $69 million for Cal. 50 Ammunition, Army, Navy/Marine Corps. Built since the 1920s, this round serves the Cal. 50 (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun, a heavy machine gun. It can be carried by a team of soldiers or mounted on vehicles and aircraft. 

• $1 million to UMKC’s Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration Center. While an increasing proportion of soldiers are surviving their battlefield injuries, current prosthetic materials and devices are often inadequate for treating the wide range of disabling injuries. The formation of a Consortium for Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration is needed to research and develop advanced biomaterials, biosensors, and bio-interfaces for the repair and regenerations of traumatized bone and tissues. The result will be improved quality of life for wounded soldiers as well as for other severely injured Americans. This investment builds on the $1 million secured by Representative Cleaver in Fiscal year 2006.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.