WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Jim Langevin and Patrick Kennedy today voted for H.R. 3326, the FY2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which will appropriate $636.3 billion for critical investments in the health, well-being and readiness of America’s armed forces.
“This bill is about keeping a promise to our troops and putting their needs first both at home and on the battlefield,” said Langevin. “In addition to the commitment we have given our troops and their families,  we are also committed to fiscal responsibility by reigning in outsourcing and putting Defense personnel, not contractors, in charge of critical department functions.”

“I am proud to have worked with the chairman and ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to secure federal funds to support our state’s defense industry.  This appropriation will help grow our economy, create jobs, and ensure we are investing in the next generation of technologies to protect our country and our troops,” said Kennedy, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Defense Appropriations Act includes funding for a 3.4 percent pay raise for servicemembers, comprehensive medical care and strong support for military family advocacy programs and funding to pay troops an additional $500 for every month their term of service is involuntarily extended by the “stop loss” practice.

To protect our troops on the battlefield this legislation also provides our military with first class equipment. It gives them the weapons they need to fight the wars of today and prepare for the battles of tomorrow. For the first time since the beginning of operations in Iraq, this bill also budgets for Overseas Deployment and other activities in Iraq and Afghanistan for the upcoming fiscal year.
 
As part of the legislation, Langevin and Kennedy secured funding for the following projects:
$4 million to support Electric Boat’s design of a Common Command and Control System Module for current and future submarines, which will allow for more efficient operation and maintenance and reduce ship costs.  Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut also supported this project.

$5 million to provide injured U.S. armed forces personnel the chance to engage in paralympic sports activities as part of their rehabilitation and return to a healthy and active life. The project is national in scope, but will also be operating in Kingston, Rhode Island.  

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