Courtney Applauds Passage of Defense Authorization Bill

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney today applauded House and Senate passage of the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill includes $725 billion for defense programs, including nearly $16 billion for shipbuilding in 2011. The shipbuilding authorization provides for doubled Virginia class submarine production, marking the first time two subs will be built in a single year since the 1980's.

"This authorization keeps us on the right track, protects Connecticut's interests, and honors our servicemen and women," said Courtney. "As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to have worked closely with my colleagues to secure critical support for eastern Connecticut. This is a good bill for our nation, our military and our state."

The measure also contains a provision, which Congressman Courtney supported and helped include in the bill, allowing dependents of military personnel to be eligible for coverage under the military's TRICARE health system until age 26.

"Since enactment of health care reform, military families from across eastern Connecticut have contacted my office to ask for the same coverage provided to civilian families," Courtney added. "As a result of this bill, military families will be able to provide continued coverage to their dependent children until age 26. That gives veterans and active-duty military families peace of mind that their children can continue to get the great coverage they need under TRICARE."

Key provisions of the FY11 NDAA:

Naval shipbuilding. NDAA authorizes nearly $16 billion for shipbuilding in 2011, matching the President's budget request. This level provides the authorization for increasing Virginia class submarine production to two boats in 2011, in line with the current Block III contract between General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Navy signed in December 2008. Since 2007, Congressman Courtney has fought to boost submarine production, winning funding that year to begin work on the second submarine authorized for 2011.

Military pay raise. The bill authorizes an across-the-board 1.4-percent pay increase for military personnel, equal to the president's request, but half-a-percentage-point less than the House-passed defense authorization bill (HR 5136).

TRICARE extension to age 26. Congressional leadership made and kept a promise to not impact TRICARE in the health care reform bill. That promise meant that TRICARE beneficiaries were not able to extend health coverage to their adult dependent children up to age 26 like the rest of the country. To ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries can enjoy this same opportunity benefit, this year's NDAA includes language from legislation cosponsored by Rep. Courtney to allow TRICARE beneficiaries to extend coverage to their dependent children until age 26.

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