Abercrombie's Air-Land Subcommittee Begins Drafting 2008 National Defense Bill

Washington, DC -- House Armed Services Subcommittee Chairman Neil Abercrombie today led the Air-Land Subcommittee through the first step in writing the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which articulates the nation's defense policy, authorizes all operations of the U.S. Department of Defense and sets priorities for defense spending.  Abercrombie's Air-Land Subcommittee has specific oversight responsibility for the U.S. Army and Air Force.

" Our job is to find the proper balance between funding for our troops in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan today and looking down the road to develop weapons systems and defense programs for the future," said Abercrombie.  "For the first time in several years, we'll have to make some tough choices because the American taxpayer can't keep paying for unlimited Defense budgets."

 Highlights of the Air-Land Subcommittee Mark include:

• $4.1 billion additional for Army, Marine Corps, Air Force mine resistant armored vehicles (MRAPs);
  
• An additional $500-million for National Guard and Reserve equipment;
  
• Required development of a $480-million competitive program to provide more than one manufacturer for engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter;
  
• Required large-scale operational tests of the Army's Future Combat System's (FCS) communications and sensor network before beginning production of FCS manned ground vehicles and FCS budget cuts, primarily for long-term research and contractor fees, of $867-million;
  
• When its cargo fleet reaches 299 total aircraft, the Air Force is authorized to begin retiring C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft and replacing them with newer C-17 Globemaster IIIs; and
  
• Termination and a cut of $470-million in the Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program, which has been behind schedule and over budget.

Abercrombie's recommendations for policy language and budget, known as the Chairman's Mark, were accepted by the Subcommittee.  Air-Land was the first of the Armed Service subcommittees to write its section of the National Defense Authorization Act.  The full committee will consider all six subcommittee recommendations next week.

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