Defense Funding Bill Passes House

WASHINGTON - Yesterday Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced that funding has been included in the FY08 Department of Defense Appropriations Conference Report for projects that will benefit the 4th District.

"It is vital to the success of our military that they have the resources they need to serve and protect America," Congressman Cole said. "I am proud that this funding will also help fund critical defense and military-related projects in Oklahoma."

Cole secured the following projects in the 2008 defense funding bill:

• $3.2 million for the Call for Fire Trainer Iteration II/Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System (CFFT/JFETS) in Lawton and at Fort Sill.
• $2 million for the Joint Fires and Effects Training System at Fort Sill.
• $2 million for the Infrared Materials Center in Ardmore and at the University of Oklahoma.
• $1 million for UH-60 MEDEVAC Thermal Imaging Upgrades in Lexington.

The 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations Conference Report passed the House yesterday. It will now move to the Senate for passage and then be put to the President to be signed into law.