WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, hailed committee passage of the U.S. Department of Defense Appropriations bill that will create and sustain good-paying jobs in Connecticut. The bill provides increased funding for Sikorsky Blackhawks Helicopters and the UH-1N Replacement Helicopter Program; Advance Procurement for Electric Boat’s Virginia Class Submarines and New SSN Design; and Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The bill now awaits further action on the Senate floor.

“This is a good time to be a defense manufacturer in Connecticut. I pushed for a seat on the Appropriations Committee so that I could fight for Connecticut-made subs, engines and helicopters, and the workers who expertly craft them," said Murphy. “We were able to boost investment above President Obama’s request and ensure that our state remains central to our nation’s national security as we continue to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.”

Murphy works in partnership with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), to advocate for smart investments that protect America’s national security and advance Connecticut’s defense manufacturing industries.

The FY2017 Department of Defense Appropriations bill also includes a Murphy provision to strengthen Buy American transparency in addition to significant funding for Connecticut defense manufacturing industry priorities, including:

  • $1.42 billion for UH-60 Blackhawks for 15 additional helicopters, $367.5 million above the President’s budget request (Stratford)
  • $5.06 billion for Advance Procurement of Virginia Class Submarines, $85 million above the President’s budget request (Groton)
  • $107 million for UH-1N Replacement Helicopter Program, $75 million above the President’s budget request
  • $236.8 million for two additional F-35B Joint Strike Fighters above the President’s budget request (East Hartford)
  • $270 million for two additional F-35C Joint Strike Fighters above the President’s budget request (East Hartford)
  • $504 million for Advance Procurement of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, $100 million above the President’s budget request (East Hartford)
  • $120 million for New SSN Design, $7 million above the President’s budget request (Groton)