Kratovil Backs FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill

Kratovil Backs FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill; Makes Key Investments to Strengthen Our Military and Support Our Troops

Secures $5.5 million for local priorities.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank Kratovil joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in passing the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill. The legislation makes key investment that will strengthen our military and support our troops. Rep. Kratovil was further able to secure $5.5 million for three projects that will directly benefit Maryland’s First Congressional District.

This bill appropriates $636.3 billion for the Department of Defense for FY 2010 -- $508 billion for the base defense budget and $128.3 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the time in years the Congress applied principles of fiscal conservatism to the defense appropriations process by cutting $3.8 billion from the President’s request and for the first time since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan in 2001, funding for war operations via the regular appropriations process rather than a supplemental bill.

“I was proud to back these appropriations because I believe the Congress has no greater responsibility than to provide security for citizens of the United States and provide protection and a high standard of living for our Armed Services and their families who sacrifice so much and put their lives on the line in our defense,” said Rep. Kratovil. “Even more, it is a pleasant change of pace to witness Congress applying fiscal responsibility. This bill ensures that war operations are properly accounted for within the regular budget process and we are no longer misrepresenting the true cost of our military operations.”

In addition to investments in key national priorities Rep. Kratovil was able to secure $5.5 million for local priorities as well.

Rep. Kratovil secured $2 million for the Alliant Tech Systems (ATK) in Elkton, MD to develop more efficient, cost effective, and environmentally friendly components of our missile defense system.

Rep. Kratovil secured $2 million for the L3 Chesapeake Sciences Corporation in Millersville, MD to develop cutting edge technology that will boost the Navy’s eroding anti-submarine defenses at a time when potential adversaries are rapidly acquiring advanced quieting techniques and other offensive submarine technologies.

Rep. Kratovil secured $1.5 million for W.L Gore and Associates, also located in Elkton, MD. W.L. Gore will use the funds to develop a Modular Glove System for Special Operation Forces (SOF) that provide the war fighter necessary protection across a wide range of climactic conditions. Developed with and at the request of SOF personnel, this system allows for a higher degree of combat effectiveness in the very harshest environments, and allows the war fighter to perform at his/her most effective level.

“We often hear about the new military technology being developed and how it is protecting our troops stationed across the globe; but we may not realize that some of this technology is being built right in our backyard with the creativity and ingenuity of our friends and neighbors. The entire nation should be grateful for the work that they do and especially those of us who benefit directly from their contributions to the local economy, especially during a recession. I fought for these funds on behalf of the military and the region so that we could protect our troops, protect our citizens, and get local economies back on track,” said Rep. Kratovil.