(Washington D.C.) The House Armed Services Committee approved a $ 512.9 billion defense spending bill that includes funding for Sheppard Air Force Base. The Defense Authorization Act of 2007, approved by the Armed Services Committee on a 60-1 vote, also authorizes $50 billion in supplemental funding for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the effort to defeat terrorism.

Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13), a member of the Armed Services Committee, said, "As we worked on this bill, our number one goal was making sure our men and women in uniform are fully prepared to win the Global War on Terror. That means giving them new tanks and guns and planes. It also means giving them the highest compensation the budget will allow." 

The bill provides a 2.7 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces.

Funding for Sheppard includes $7 million to begin construction of a new base operations ramp for military aircraft. The ramp currently used for military purposes at Sheppard poses a number of logistical problems. For example, it is located away from the central military aircraft operating area and requires crossing the municipal runway.  The new ramp will improve safety and reduce the mixing of commercial and military aircraft operations.

"The work done at Sheppard Air Force is critical to our national security. Making sure Sheppard has first rate facilities is always a top priority for me," said Thornberry.

A vote by the full U.S. House of Representatives on the Defense Authorization Act is expected before Memorial Day.

-30-