Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro Fight Budget Cuts To Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter Program

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) vowed to fight budget cuts to the U.S. Air Force’s combat rescue helicopter program in response to reports that the program was on the chopping block as a result of sequester. Cutting the program would mean that the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters would not be replaced by 112 newer helicopters.

Blumenthal said, “Cutting the Connecticut-made combat rescue helicopters should be a non-starter, and I am fighting this shortsighted, misguided decision. Rescuing downed warfighters is a core mission – a non-debatable mission – that is now dependent on 30-year-old helicopters that should be replaced as soon as possible. I have written to General Welsh urging the Air Force to commit to this mission, and I am working with my colleagues in Congress to find a viable path for its continued funding. These Sikorsky-made choppers – the best in the world – are vital to our national defense, and should not be on the chopping block. I will vehemently and vocally continue to advocate ending harmful budget cuts caused by sequester that hurt our national security.”  

Murphy said, “These automatic spending cuts are another sad example of governing at its worst. Countless people across Connecticut are feeling the pain of these reckless cuts, and Congress needs to replace sequester with a common-sense budget immediately. Now we’re hearing that the sequester will slash critical funding for the Air Force – funding that would be used to update decades old equipment that needs to be replaced not only to allow members of the Air Force to maintain the ability to perform their duties, but to keep them safe as well. I encourage members of the Budget Conference Committee to  work together to replace the sequester a budget that supports our nation’s families, economy, and our national security.”

DeLauro said, “The Defense funding bill passed by the House of Representatives contains money I fought for to provide desperately needed lifesaving search and rescue helicopters for the men and women serving America. I have urged my colleagues to keep this critical funding in any final bill and will continue to push the Air Force to move forward with this program. Ultimately, we must end the indiscriminate, deeply harmful sequestration cuts that are having a terrible impact on programs critical not only to enhancing national defense, but supporting jobs and economic growth. I will continue to fight for a fair budget that ends sequestration while protecting working and middle class families, seniors, and the most vulnerable Americans.”

Recently, Blumenthal, Murphy, and DeLauro sent letters to the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Committee respectively requesting that the program not be cut. Blumenthal and Murphy’s letter is here, and DeLauro’s letter is here.