Houses Approves National Defense Authorization Act: Two Key 4th District Projects Are Authorized

Press Release

This afternoon, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, by a vote of 389 to 22. The comprehensive defense policy bill authorizes $550.4 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $130 billion in funding to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism for Fiscal Year 2010.

"Passing the National Defense Authorization Act shows a true bipartisan commitment to defending the security of this nation and ensuring our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have the resources necessary to successfully complete their missions. This bill also provides for a 3.4% increase in pay for our troops, which is higher than what was requested by the President. We owe a great debt to the men and women fighting on the front lines for our freedom and I am proud to have cosponsored this legislation," said Congressman John Fleming.

"This bill will also authorize two key projects that will improve training for soldiers at Ft. Polk and upgrade aviation units for the Louisiana National Guard. Louisiana is proud to do its part in the Global War on Terrorism and these projects will guarantee they are battle ready when called upon to fight for our country."

Details of the two authorized projects are as follows:
UH-60A to UH-60L Upgrade for the Army National Guard - $20.4 Million
FY10 funds would provide for critical avionics upgrades to modernize Army National Guard Blackhawk medium-lift utility helicopters. Directly supports Louisiana Army National Guard aviation units.

Multipurpose Machine Gun Range - $6.4 Million
FY10 funds would provide for the construction of a standard design Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range, required to train and test soldiers on the skills necessary to detect, identify, engage and defeat targets in a tactical environment. Fort Polk does not currently have a suitable training area that meets the requirements needed for machine gunnery. Without this facility, the soldiers of Fort Polk, Reserve, and National Guard units will not be able to maintain efficiency for live fire training for machine gun engagements.

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