Issue Position: Defense

Issue Position

Murphy opposed the open ended occupation of Iraq and has stood firm in his support for an orderly withdrawal of American troops. Murphy has opposed the Administration's conduct of the war in Iraq and has voted consistently against additional "blank check" funding for the war by insisting that any funding for the war is tied to a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Murphy has also called for the Iraqi Government to share more heavily in the cost of reconstruction and for the Administration to consult more closely with Congress before any Status of Forces Agreement is agreed to. (H.R. 1591, Roll Call 186; H.R. 2206, Roll Call 333)

* Murphy has consistently supported the strengthening of our military capabilities and better benefits for our troops and their families. Knowing that separation from family members can be both emotionally and financially difficult for military families, Congressman Murphy has supported a 3.9 percent pay raise for our troops, prohibited increased military health care costs and expanded family support programs - including education and training benefits. Murphy has repeatedly supported increased funding for both the readiness of our troops and for the equipment they use in the field, especially ensuring that our National Guard and Reserve has access to the equipment they need to be successful. (H.R.5658, Final Vote - Roll Call 365; H.R. 4986, Final Vote - Roll Call 11; H.R. 3222, Final Vote - Roll Call 1064)

* Murphy has been a strong advocate for Connecticut's defense industry. Murphy has worked tirelessly to support the state's critically important defense industry. From United Technologies to the small defense contractors of Danbury, Thomaston and Meriden, Murphy has consistently advocated on behalf of their technologies and supported their efforts to keep jobs here in Connecticut. Notably, Congressman Murphy joined with his colleagues to protest the Air Force's decision to award a multi-billion dollar tanker deal to a foreign company. Murphy consistently voiced support for the American-made tanker as the superior product and believes that the new fair competition, as recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), will make this clear. (3/5/08 CT Delegation Letter Requesting Air Force Briefing; 6/27/08 Letter to Secretary of the Air Force; H.R. 3222, Final Vote - Roll Call 1064)

* Murphy increased oversight and transparency for defense contractors. Congressman Murphy introduced the Government Funding Transparency Act, which was signed into law on June 30, 2008. The bill requires government contractors that receive 80% or more of their annual gross income from the federal government and have contracts worth more than $25 million to disclose compensation information about their most highly compensated officers. Private defense contractors have been reaping billions of dollars in taxpayer money and many of them don't have to disclose any financial information to the American taxpayer (essentially their shareholders). Murphy has fought and won this increased disclosure requirement while also supporting measures that would require federal contractors to report overseas violations of criminal law - violations which have previously gone unreported. (H.R. 2642, Final Vote Roll Call 432)

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