Ayotte: Small Businesses in New Hampshire, Nationwide are Critical to Military Readiness

Press Release

As part of her ongoing effort to ensure that defense cuts are carried out in a responsible manner that doesn't compromise national security, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today highlighted the value of the nation's small business sector to the country's military readiness. In a letter to the Undersecretary of the Air Force written with Senator Scott Brown (R-MA), sent this week, the senators expressed concern that proposed changes to Air Force procurement activities at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts could harm local small businesses that help support the base's Electronic Systems Center.

"As our nation faces a serious fiscal crisis, we need to find savings throughout government - including at the Pentagon. But reductions need to be made responsibly and with an eye on the nation's long-term defense needs," said Senator Ayotte. "Small businesses in New Hampshire and across the country support our military with responsive, cost competitive service. We can't afford to lose these smaller firms, which perform work that is critical to our nation's military readiness. That's why I've asked the Air Force to ensure small businesses are carefully considered as changes in procurement are made."

Ayotte is a member of Senate Small Business Committee who also serves as the Ranking Member (top Republican) on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. She noted that several small businesses within New Hampshire's defense sector have contacted her to express concerns regarding the nature of reductions at Hanscom. These firms are among several in the state that have service sub-contracts at the Massachusetts air force base.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently implementing $487 billion in spending reductions over the next decade. In addition, DoD faces the prospect of an additional $600 billion in cuts under a sequestration provision included in a bill approved last summer to raise the nation's debt ceiling - legislation Ayotte voted against. She recently joined senior Republicans in introducing the "Down Payment to Protect National Security Act," which would avoid arbitrary military spending reductions under sequestration set for next year by freezing pay for civilian federal workers - including members of Congress - and reducing the federal civilian workforce through attrition.

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