Blumenthal Issues Statement on President Obama’s Budget Proposal and Impact to Connecticut Defense Industry

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal issued the following statement on President Obama’s budget proposal and its impact to the Connecticut defense manufacturing industry:

 I am pleased to see broad support for Connecticut’s defense manufacturing industry in the President’s budget proposal, including funding for two Virginia-class submarines and advance procurement funding for two ships planned for 2015. Additionally, the proposal allocates funding to design the OHIO class ballistic missile submarine replacement and development of the Virginia Payload Module, both manufactured at Electric Boat. The budget also funds 29 Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighters to be built in Connecticut at Pratt & Whitney. Additionally, there is funding for 65 Black Hawk helicopters, 19 MH-60R helicopters and 18 MH-60S helicopters, all manufactured by Sikorsky.

While I applaud the President’s continued support for Connecticut’s world class defense manufacturing industry, I will not support authorization of another Base Realignment and Closure process that could endanger the sub base in New London. I will continue to fight on behalf of our brave service members stationed here and overseas, as well as the thousands of men and women in our state who work proudly and tirelessly to build and maintain our vital defense assets.

I will be taking a close look at the President’s full budget to see how it affects key programs impacting Connecticut communities, families and businesses.  There is much to support in this budget, including robust investments in infrastructure, education, and manufacturing, along with efforts to close major tax loopholes. I remain opposed to proposals to undermine our safety net, including cutting Social Security benefits to seniors through a chained C.P.I.  I believe the Senate budget still represents the preferred approach to deficit-reduction, but I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a budget that grows jobs, supports families and communities, and addresses our long-term fiscal challenges.