Warner and Kaine Announce Provisions to Fully Fund Shipbuilding and Ship-Repair Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Statement

U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today applauded the release of the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which provides discretionary funding for the entire federal government for the fiscal year, including $486.9 billion in defense spending to advance our nation's security and military readiness, and to provide support for our troops and their families.

"We have come a long way in one year since we faced down the challenges that sequester introduced in 2013--what I described as "stupidity on steroids.' It's been a tough fight, but I'm pleased we have emerged with a bill that includes many of the Virginia priorities that are vital to our nation's defense, especially full funding for our shipbuilding programs and ship repair accounts. These will help bring needed stability to the Hampton Roads workforce and industrial base," said Senator Warner.

"I'm pleased so many priorities we have fought for -- from funding ship repair, to protecting disabled military veterans and retaining our world class shipbuilding fleet -- were included in the appropriations bill," said Kaine. "Fully funding our aircraft carrier and Virginia class submarine fleet will help maintain our industrial base while supporting the economy in Hampton Roads. I am hopeful we can swiftly pass this bill that restores funding critical to our nation's defense."

The Omnibus bill provides $572 billion in total Pentagon spending, and $85.2 billion in funding for overseas contingencies operations (OCO).

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