WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday applauded the passage of the FY 2019 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. Murphy successfully secured funding for national security and Connecticut’s manufacturing sector. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Murphy worked across the aisle to ensure bipartisan support for local manufacturing.

“I fought for a seat on the Appropriations Committee to bring back funding to Connecticut and boost local jobs,” Murphy said. “Connecticut’s manufacturers work every day to keep our country safe. I was proud to secure these critical investments for our manufacturers and our nation’s national security.”

Murphy offered a series of amendments to cut off U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s war in Yemen; support additional research and development funding for Sikorsky helicopters and Pratt & Whitney jet engines; and fight against Russian propaganda and for fair elections in Eastern Europe. Senate Republicans blocked all of his amendments.

Specifically, the legislation includes the following:

  • Murphy-sponsored amendment to provide $20 million to assist with funding infrastructure projects near bases in military community. Murphy has been working with the New London community to address housing and infrastructure needs around the sub base.
  • Murphy-sponsored amendment that allows the Department of the Navy to initiate its multiyear procurement of the Virginia Class Block 5 submarine.
  • $8.5 billion for 89 F-35s, which includes $1.2 billion above the president’s requested budget for 12 additional aircraft
  • $7.169 billion for 2 Virginia-class Submarines and long lead material for future submarines
  • $3.24 billion – $250 million above the president’s requested budget – for Industrial Base Expansion for the Columbia-class Submarine Program
  • $1.3 billion for 64 UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters, which includes $320 million above the president’s requested budget for 15 additional helicopters
  • $1.02 billion for 8 CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters
  • $649 million for 6 VH-92 Executive Helicopter (Marine One)
  • $160 million – $12 million above the president’s requested budget – for design of a new attack submarine
  • $78 million – $20 million above the president’s requested budget – for Undersea Warfare Applied Research
  • $53 million – $10 million above the president’s requested budget – for Material Development Research
  • $86 million -- $75 million above the president’s requested budget -- for Future Vertical Lift Helicopter Development Program
  • 2.6% pay raise for Military Personnel

Earlier this month, Murphy voted for the FY 2019 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to authorize the Appropriations Committee to provide federal funding for the United States’ defense priorities. 

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