For Immediate Release
August 5, 2007
Media Contact: Ray Yonkura
(202) 225-2676
House Passes Defense Spending Bill
Contains Major Funding for JSMC
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) announced that the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense spending bill, passed early Sunday morning in the U.S. House by a vote of 395-13, includes significant funding increases for program work at Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC).
“This bill is a victory for our troops as well as the men and women at JSMC who provide the military with the equipment it needs to defend our great nation,” Jordan said.
Contained in the bill is more than $1.9 billion for procurement of the Stryker light armored vehicle, the upper hull of which is produced at JSMC. Citing the outstanding performance and exceptional troop protection afforded by Strykers currently deployed in Iraq, Jordan spearheaded efforts in Congress to secure additional Stryker procurement funding over President Bush’s $1.0 billion budget request. Fourteen of his Ohio congressional colleagues joined him in signing letters earlier this year to the House Appropriations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee in support of this increase.
Also included is full funding of the President’s budget request for Abrams tank upgrades performed at JSMC and related sites. Jordan committed his support for Abrams upgrade programs to the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees in March.
“Our troops in Iraq continue to prove the benefits of a modern Abrams tank fleet,” Jordan said. “JSMC can take great pride in its continued outstanding contributions to our heavy armor programs.”
Further, the bill includes $3.5 million for a flexible high-speed manufacturing cell at JSMC. The cell will satisfy manufacturing requirements for the Stryker program and other cutting-edge military equipment procurement, leading to streamlined production and reduced costs to the taxpayer for JSMC-manufactured vehicles. Congress provided $3 million for this project in Fiscal Year 2007.
Also contained in the legislation is $288 million for continued research and development work on the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, a Marine Corps amphibious vehicle. JSMC performs all EFV manufacture and assembly work.
Overall, the bill provides $460 billion in funding to the Department of Defense next year, including $925 million to address critical equipment issues in our Reserve and Guard forces. It allows for significant increases in military health care programs without fee or premium increases, and fully funds the previously authorized 3.5-percent military pay raise.
“Having visited Iraq last month, I saw firsthand the difficult tasks being undertaken by our troops,” Jordan said. “I’m honored that our district plays such a vital role in providing them the equipment and support they need as they work to complete their mission.”
