WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, released a statement following committee passage of the FY2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. After fighting hard to ensure continued support for national security and supported Connecticut job creators, Murphy voted for the bill, which passed by a bipartisan vote of 30-1. Earlier this year, Murphy voted for the FY2019 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to authorize the Appropriations Committee to provide federal funding for the United States’ defense priorities.

“Congress supports our state’s manufacturers because our workers keep proving they’re the best at what they do. I was proud to secure these critical investments in subs, helicopters and jet engines. The important investments we made here will keep our country safe and our workers on the job,” said Murphy. “I fought to get on this committee because I wanted to be in the room to fight for Connecticut and shape our national priorities. As the long, convoluted appropriations process continues, I will keep pushing – not just for defense dollars, but for our schools, roads and health care.”

The FY2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act includes funding for the following Connecticut priorities:

  • $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

The legislation also contains a provision led by Murphy and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) that requires higher accountability for when U.S. forces engage in world-wide counter-terrorism train, advise, assist, and accompany activities following the deadly attack on U.S. special forces on October 4, 2017 in Tongo Tongo, Niger. 

###