Washington, D.C. - House Armed Services Committee Member U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, passed out of committee late last night.  The bill authorizes $512.9 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.  The legislation also includes $50 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 5122 next week.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am working to meet the immediate needs of the brave men and women who defend our nation.  At this crucial time, I am proud to send them message of support in the form of a 2.7% pay raise,” said Larsen.

Improved Benefits for Active Duty and Military Retirees
“We need to honor the brave men and women who serve the United States by giving them the affordable health care benefits they deserve,” said Larsen.

• The bill prohibits any increase in premiums, deductibles, or co-payments for TRICARE Prime, inpatient care for TRICARE Standard, and premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select through December 31, 2007
  
• The bill increases the amount of DoD-funded Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) from $150K to $400K for personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan
  
• In addition, it includes funding authority to provide TRICARE to all reservists

In addition, the Authorization Act includes an increase in the cost of generic and brand name pharmaceuticals.  Larsen voted for an amendment to reduce the proposed cost-share back to current rates.  The amendment was not accepted.

New Assets for Washington State’s 2nd Congressional District
“I am pleased that this bill included important military construction projects for the bases in my district.  I am pleased to see that the EA-18G program is moving full speed ahead and look forward to their arrival at NAS Whidbey,” Larsen said.

• The bill authorizes $372 million for 12 new EA-18G Growlers that will be stationed at NAS Whidbey Island.
  
• It authorizes $9.6 million for an Indoor Aircraft Wash rack for NAS Whidbey Island, and $28 million for Hangar 5 Recapitalization at NAS Whidbey Island.
  
• The bill authorizes $21 million for BEQ Homeport Ashore at Naval Station Everett.
  And the legislation would prevent the DoD from entering into a contract with contractors who have received a subsidy from a foreign government that is a member of the World Trade Organization.

“I am pleased that once again the chairman was able to put in a provision that will prevent unfairly subsidized companies, such as Airbus, from entering the competition for Air Force Tankers,” said Larsen.

Additional Forces & Force Protection
“This bill addresses the urgent needs of the men and women who have answered the call of duty by increasing the number of active duty personnel in FY2007 and allocating additional funds to protect our forces who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Larsen.

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  The legislation includes an increase of 30,000 Army and 5,000 Marine Corps active duty personnel to sustain our nations required missions.
  
• The bill also authorizes additional funding to support the immediate needs of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, including up-armored Humvees, improvised explosive device (IED) jammers and state-of-the-art body armor.

Improved Projects and Technology
“Committee members worked hard to locate smart, cost-saving cuts to programs that lacked maturity and redirect these funds to areas that better meet the immediate needs of our armed services,” said Larsen.

• The bill reduces funding for two expensive and underdeveloped satellite programs, the Transformational Satellite Communications System and Space Based Radar by a total of $110 million.  $20 million of these saving will go to operationally responsive space capabilities.
  
• The bill funded the Missile Defense Agency at $183.5 million below the budget request, reducing funding for underdeveloped programs like a GMD silo site for Europe and the Multiple Kill Vehicle program. This money was funneled into missile defense programs that have been proven effective, including the Navy’s Aegis system and the purchase of 108 new Patriot missiles.

Securing our Nation and the World against Nuclear Proliferation
“This bill increases a variety of non-proliferation programs that will help clean up and keep vulnerable nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists,” said Larsen.

• These programs include $20 million for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, $30 million to Elimination of Weapons Grade Plutonium Program and $20 million to International Materials Protection and Cooperation.
  
• In addition, the bill halts plans to convert several nuclear Trident missiles - launched from submarines - to conventional missiles. 

To become law, all of the provisions included in this legislation will have to survive passage on the House floor and remain in the conference report after negotiations to combine the House and Senate bills.

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