Rep. Cole Votes for Defense Funding Bill, Secures NLOS-C Funding

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted last night for the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 5631) that includes $7 million for projects in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District and language that ensures the full funding of the non-line-of-sight cannon (NLOS-C). Congressman Cole was able to use his position on the powerful Rules Committee to ensure this language was included in the final version of the legislation passed by the House.

As the point man for all defense related issues that come before the House Rules Committee, Congressman Cole led the debate on the rule for H.R. 5631. A rule, which sets the terms of debate on the floor, must be passed before the actual piece of legislation is debatable.

Congressman Cole protected language in the bill that directs the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army to fully fund NLOS-C, in order for the system to be fielded in 2010.

"I am pleased that the House approved language to continue to fully fund the non-line-of-sight cannon. We have a long way to go before we make up for the neglect of our military in the 1990's when we reduced our end strength levels and failed to replace and update weapons systems and bring on new weapons, but this bill does begin to move us forward," Congressman Cole said.

Congressman Cole secured the following funds in the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill:

· $3.5 million for the Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System at Fort Sill

· $1.5 million for enhanced command and control abilities to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

· $2 million for a project at Tinker Air Force base to make reliability improvements to existing molecular sieve oxygen generation system (MSOGS) on the B-1B aircraft.

"These projects are not only beneficial to the overall effectiveness and capability of the military, but are important to our bases in Oklahoma. I will be working to secure these projects in the final version of this legislation that is sent to the President," Congressman Tom Cole said.

H.R. 55631 provides $427.4 billion to meet the needs of our military, including:

· $84.9 billion for military personnel

· $120.5 billion for operations and maintenance

· $81.8 billion for procurement

· $75.3 for research and development

· $50.0 billion toward the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This legislation accomplishes much in terms of funding our current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the global war on terror while setting the military on the path of further transformation to meet the new challenges of the twenty-first century," Congressman Cole said during his speech on the House floor.

The FY07 Defense Appropriations bill passed in the House last night and must now be debated in the Senate.

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