Congress Moves Toward Approval of Defense Appropriations Bill to Protect Troops and Extend Unemployment Insurance

Press Release

After a 1 a.m. vote to overcome yet another Republican filibuster, the U.S. Senate moved forward with legislation to fund our troops and extend critical unemployment, health, and food support for thousands of Rhode Islanders and millions of struggling Americans.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, said the 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill includes funding for critical national security programs and a 3.4% pay increase for the military. The bill also extends unemployment insurance, the COBRA health subsidy, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In addition, it contains nearly $84 million that Senator Reed secured for defense projects, which are important for creating and preserving jobs in Rhode Island.

"Our troops deserve a raise and this legislation provides that, along with the support they need to carry out their missions and protect our nation. It also makes critical investments in unemployment insurance, COBRA, and food aid, which will help people hit hardest by the Bush recession feed their families, stay in their homes, and keep their health insurance. Many people now relying on these programs are the same folks who once donated to food banks and charitable efforts themselves. They need this safety net today -- passing this legislation will ensure these programs are there for them tomorrow and in the future," said Reed.

This legislation extends through February 2010:

* Expanded unemployment insurance benefits to prevent 1,000 Rhode Islanders from exhausting their benefits each week.

* The 65% COBRA health insurance subsidy for individuals who have lost their jobs, which will help 7 million laid-off Americans and their families keep health insurance they purchased through former employers.

The bill also provides:

* Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including $400 million to help states meet increased demand by effectively administering the program and speeding up processing of applications. Nearly 120,000 Rhode Islanders rely on SNAP -- most of whom are children who may go hungry without this vital federal food assistance program.

* $83.98 million Reed secured for Rhode Island's defense industry, which employs approximately 16,000 people throughout the state and contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the local economy.

"This legislation will help create and support high-paying manufacturing and technology jobs in Rhode Island, and ensure our defense industry remains strong and vibrant. The funding provided in this legislation is an acknowledgement of the valuable contribution Rhode Island companies and workers make towards safeguarding our nation," stated Reed, who noted that the bill also contains over $3 billion in funding for key submarine and shipbuilding programs, including the DDG-1000 destroyer and the procurement of the twelfth Virginia-class submarine. "Much of the work for these subs, which are vital to our national security and important to the local economy, is performed by Rhode Islanders."

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill by a vote of 395-34 on December 16. After the legislation clears the full U.S. Senate, which is expected to occur tomorrow, it will go to the President's desk to be signed into law.

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