The following news release regarding national defense spending relevant to North Dakota and Minot was issued by Congressman Cramer.
— Official News Release, Congressman Cramer
Congressman Kevin Cramer announced sweeping improvements at the Minot Air Force Base funded in H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act of 2019. Cramer joined a majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing the legislation today to rebuild the U.S. armed forces, restore military readiness, and support troops.
Nearly $86 million is funded in the bill for B-52 bombers procurement, which are flown out of Minot Air Force Base (AFB). Almost $700 million for the Long Range Standoff Weapon, which are carried on the B-52s. In March, Cramer sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging leaders to include strong funding for B-52 bombers in the bill.
H.R. 6157 also provides $414 million for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent and $129 million for modifications to Minuteman III ICBMs, many of which are housed at Minot AFB. Notably, $258 million is funded to replace the UH-1N Huey helicopters, which patrol the ICBMs at Minot AFB. Cramer co-led an amendment in the NDAA of 2016 which directed an acquisition strategy for replacing the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey helicopters.
“I am pleased we were able to provide several provisions for the Minot Air Force Base in this bill,” said Cramer. “With bolstered B-52 capabilities, ICBM modifications, and Huey helicopter replacements, the men and women serving in Minot will see noticeable improvements in their field.”
In addition, the bill provides $674.6 billion for the DOD in fiscal year 2019, $68.1 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations funding to combat terrorism, and $144 billion for Military Pay and Personnel including a 2.6 percent pay raise for the troops. Cramer has long supported increasing pay for the military, most recently in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This pay raise in today’s legislation includes North Dakota Army and Air National Guard troops.
North Dakota Highlights
- $33.6 million for the Civil Air Patrol, which provides aerospace education and emergency services across North Dakota.
- Nearly $215 million to modernize RQ-4s, commonly flown out of the Grand Forks Air Force base.
- $7.33 billion for Army National Guard maintenance and operations.
Additional Legislative Highlights
- $245.9 billion for Operations and Maintenance to provide warfighters the tools and resources they need and includes $1 billion above the request to fill readiness shortfalls, $1.05 billion above the request for facility sustainment, and $20.6 billion for depot maintenance.
- $92.4 billion for Research and Development, to include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, space security programs, and nuclear force modernization.
- $145.7 billion for Procurement to provide the resources, weapons, and platforms for the troops by funding 12 Navy ships, 93 F-35, 24 Super Hornets, 58 Black Hawk helicopters, and 66 Apaches.
- $500 million for the Israeli missile defense cooperative programs.
- $34.4 billion for Defense Health Program to provide care for the troops, military families, and retirees.
