Blumenthal Statement on Omnibus Spending Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through September.

“Today’s budget is a testament to what Congress can accomplish when we work together. This measure provides robust funding for defense manufacturing in Connecticut—creating good jobs now and setting the workforce on a path for dramatic growth in the future. The budget makes critical investments to improve veterans’ healthcare, combat the opioid epidemic, and boost cutting-edge medical research.”

“But while this bipartisan bill keeps our government open and funded, we must do more than just simply keep the lights on. The American people deserve better than a Congress that governs from crisis to crisis. We must build on this bipartisan momentum to improve our nation’s healthcare, protect consumers, and support working families.”

 The spending bill will benefit defense manufacturing and supports jobs in Connecticut in the following ways:

Invests in Connecticut’s Submarine Industrial Base: Blumenthal secured strong submarine funding—bolstering national security and growing Connecticut jobs.

• Over $5 billion for two Virginia Class submarines. This includes an additional $85 million in advance procurement (AP) funding above the President’s request. This AP funding will accelerate funding for Block V Virginia submarines that will fund long-lead items, including cylinders, compressors, valves, pumps, and more.
• $1.9 billion for the Columbia Class program to replace the retiring Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines. Blumenthal led the Senate effort to secure a special exception for $773.1 million in new shipbuilding funding in the December 2016 Continuing Resolution. Electric Boat is the prime contractor to build the twelve replacement submarines.

 Funds the Future of the F-35: Connecticut’s Pratt and Whitney is the sole engine-maker for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

• This bill includes $8.2 billion in funding for 74 Joint Strike Fighters across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, adding 11 above the President’s budget request of 63 F-35s.

 Ensures Robust Production of Helicopters: Blumenthal fought for strong procurement funding for helicopters, including the UH-60M Black Hawk, CH-53K King Stallion, MH-60R Naval Hawk, Combat Rescue Helicopter Program, and UH-1N Replacement Program.

• $1.2 billion in funding for 62 Black Hawks – an additional 26 helicopters above the President’s request of 36 helicopters.
• First year of procurement funding for $416.5 million for 2 CH-53Ks – the Marine Corps new heavy-lift helicopter.
• Increased funding for UH-1N replacement program by $75 million – from $18 to $93 million – to expedite procurement of replacement aircraft. Last week, Senator Blumenthal co-led a bipartisan, bicameral letter with Rep. DeLauro to Secretary Mattis to focus his attention on expediting the fielding of new replacement helicopters.
• $53 million for the MH-60R Naval Hawk helicopter which will finish production in the coming fiscal year.
• $272 million in funding for the Air Force’s Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) program – approximately a 43 percent increase from fiscal year 2016.

 Buys American Products: For more than a decade, DoD has supplied the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces with Russian-made helicopters.

• Blumenthal worked to secure $264 million to procure and modernize 53 of planned 159 UH-60A upgraded Black Hawks for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to replace Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters.

 Provides Opportunity for Aerospace Propulsion: Blumenthal fought to increase funding for aerospace propulsion research, which United Technology plays a large role in.

• The omnibus provides $195.7 million in funding for aerospace propulsion research – a $10 million increase above the President’s request, which Blumenthal successfully advocated for.

 Gives Servicemembers Pay Raise:

• This spending deal allocates a 2.1% pay raise for military and civilian employees, which is above the 1.6% requested by the President. This more closely aligns with the private-sector wage growth.

 Invests in Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP): Blumenthal advocated for strong investment in ITEP – a top priority Army Aviation engine modernization program that is in the preliminary design phase.         

• ITEP received $116 million in funding, more than double funding from fiscal year 2016.

 Begins B-21 Bomber Program: This year marks the first year of funding for the long range strike bomber. Connecticut’s Pratt & Whitney is one of seven major contractors on this program.

• $1.3 billion to fund research and development.