Thune Highlights South Dakota Priorities in Defense Authorization Conference Report

Press Release

Includes Thune Amendments Preserving the Next Generation Bomber Program and Ellsworth Land Conveyance

Senator John Thune today highlighted important South Dakota priorities included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Conference Report. The conference report authorizes $680 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects. The bill also includes a 3.4 percent across the board pay raise for servicemen and women. The Senate and the House of Representatives each passed versions of the bill earlier this year and the final conference agreement was reached earlier today.

During the Armed Services Committee markup of the bill, Senator Thune included an amendment to preserve the Next Generation Bomber program. The Next Generation Bomber program has been targeted for termination by the Obama Administration, even though almost half of the nation's bomber inventory pre-dates the Cuban Missile Crisis. In response to this proposal, Senator Thune introduced legislation earlier this year known as the Preserving Future United States Capability to Project Power Globally Act (S. 1044), which formed the basis of the Thune Amendment ultimately adopted in the conference report. Not only is the Next Generation Bomber important for our nation's future security needs, but Ellsworth Air Force Base is uniquely suited to be the bed down location for the long range strike platform.

"The Next Generation Bomber will be critical to preserving our nation's ability to project power as we face a future where potential adversaries continue to acquire sophisticated air defense systems," said Thune. "While the fight to preserve this program is far from over, the adoption of my amendment is a substantial step toward preserving this important long range strike capability."

The conference report also includes an amendment offered by Senator Thune to ensure congressional participation in the independent and bipartisan panel required by statute that will review the 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review currently being developed by the Department of Defense.

Senator Thune, along with Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), also sponsored an amendment to the bill passed by the Senate that resolved technical issues relating to the transfer of land from Ellsworth Air Force Base to the recently formed South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. The transfer is supported by the U.S. Air Force and state and local leaders. This amendment was included in the final version of the bill by the Conference Committee.

"Ellsworth Air Force Base's importance to our national security and South Dakota's economy is well understood," said Thune. "The South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority will help create more economic opportunity for the state and local communities while providing important support for the base's missions."

"The work done by South Dakota's Armed Forces personnel, military facilities, and research institutions contributed greatly to our national defense. By investing in these projects, we are equipping America's men and women in uniform to meet challenges defending our country and defending freedom around the globe."

Senator Thune is a member of the Armed Services Committee and is the ranking Republican on the Airland Subcommittee, which oversees Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tactical aviation programs in addition to Army programs.

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