Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Ms. TENNEY. Madam Chair, I rise today to offer and withdraw my amendment No. 287 to provide $71 million for nonrecurring engineering expenses associated with designing the new LC-130J as part of LC-130 recapitalization project.

LC-130s are polar ski planes that possess the unique capability of being able to land on snow instead of solely on a paved runway. The LC- 130 is the only plane in the world with this capability and provides the United States with a key competitive edge in the Arctic and Antarctic domains.

The LC-130 fleet is wholly operated by the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York.

Beyond its national security importance in supporting our Arctic strategy, the LC-130 fleet is also critical in supporting our Nation's scientific research efforts.

Each year, the current LC-130 fleet assists in critical missions in both Greenland and Antarctica pursuant to President Ronald Reagan's Presidential memorandum 6646.

However, our current LC-130H fleet is aging quickly, with some planes over 50 years old. Despite the great work of the 109th Airlift Wing in maintaining these planes, we must quickly recapitalize these planes to ensure the U.S. does not lose the critical capabilities provided by the LC-130 fleet.

Before I conclude, I want to thank Bob Epp and Dennis Feeney from the New York National Guard's legislative team, General Steven Slosek from the 109th Airlift Wing, General Michael Bank, the New York Air National Guard Commander; and General Ray Shields, the New York Adjutant General, for their tireless efforts in advocating alongside me for the LC-130 recapitalization.

Last year, with the help of these individuals and Chairman Calvert, we were able to secure $29 million in the FY25 CR spend plan for the Department of Defense for these nonrecurring engineering expenses.

Rest assured, I will continue fighting to secure the additional funding in the final FY26 Defense bill.

Before I withdraw this amendment, I ask Chairman Calvert to commit to working with me on the continued LC-130 recapitalization project as you have so graciously in the past.

Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

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Ms. TENNEY. Madam Chair, that is a mission of our President, of course.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time, and I withdraw my amendment.

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