Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 396- 31.  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, and authorizes $372 million for 12 new EA-18G Growlers that will be stationed at NAS Whidbey Island.

“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

New Assets for Washington State’s 2nd Congressional District
“This bill includes important military construction projects for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett.  The EA-18G program is moving full speed ahead and I 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.
  
• 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.
  
• The bill increases funding for the readiness & environmental protection initiative by $30 million and recommends that NAS Whidbey utilize some of these resources.  This account specifically helps bases with encroachment issues.

“Over the last year I have worked with the state, Navy and community to help NAS Whidbey Island with encroachment issues.  Language in today’s bill helps seal this deal,” 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.

• 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. 

The U.S. Senate has not acted on its National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.  Once it does, a conference committee will form to resolve the differences between the House and Senate version of the bill.  Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

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