Department Of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

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Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3326, the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Act,'' which provides $636.3 billion in defense funding. This bill keeps faith with our troops and provides the funding needed to ensure they are the best trained, best prepared, best equipped, and best cared for fighting force in the history of the world. That is the least we can do for those who willingly risk their lives to keep us safe.

Madam Speaker, I also support the bill because it makes the needed investments to keep our nation strong, safe, and respected in the world. One of the most important investments is the $2.5 billion in funding provided to build and maintain 10 C-17 Air Force cargo aircraft, which is assembled in my district but serves the nation and helps protect the peace the world over.

I want to thank Chairman Murtha and Chairman Obey for working with me to secure this funding and also for masterly shepherding this legislation to the floor.

Madam Speaker, in my remaining time let me briefly explain why I fight so hard for the C-17, as Chairman Murtha can attest: Airlift is the enabler of global reach, global power, and global vigilance. This is what makes us a superpower.

The C-17 is the best airlift aircraft in the world because of its ability to fly long distances and land in remote airfields in rough, land-locked regions.

The C-17 is the premier transporter for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions because it can:

Take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, refuel while in flight and land in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night.

In addition to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the C-17 has proved its mettle in humanitarian missions to Darfur, Myanmar, China, and Georgia in the former Soviet Union.

The men and women who design and build the C-17 represent a critical component of our nation's industrial base and a workforce that is second to none.

At a time when we are adding to our troop strength in the Army and Marine Corps overall, and expanding our deployment to Afghanistan, it only makes sense to continue production of the C-17, the only program that provides for strategic airlift over the long term.

For California alone, the C-17 program at Long Beach contributes almost 14,000 direct jobs and an economic impact of $2 billion.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I support this bill because it restores and enhances the readiness of our troops, equipment, and defense infrastructure. It takes care of our military personnel and their families. And it authorizes the needed investments to keep our nation strong, safe, and respected in the world.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for the bill on final passage.

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