Congressman Cole Requests Included in Defense Authorization

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Cole announced today that $3.15 million for Ft. Sill to build a fire station was included in the Defense Authorization bill reported out of the Armed Services Committee Wednesday evening. Congressman Cole requested this project in a letter and in a meeting with Chairman Duncan Hunter.

"I am pleased that both the House and the Senate included these funds in their respective Defense Authorization bills," Congressman Tom Cole said. "Having a fire station at Fort Sill will help better protect the soldiers and equipment on the post."

A request by Congressman Tom Cole to split the non-line-of-site cannon (NLOS-C) from the development track of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) was also included in the 2006 Defense Authorization bill. This technical change will ensure more robust funding for NLOS-C than the President's Budget while manned ground vehicles are further delayed. The bill also includes provisions to ensure that NLOS-C will be powerful enough to remain a dominant weapon on the battlefield for many years.

Congressman Cole was also able to secure $50 million over the President's request of $108 million for NLOS-C, although technical details outlining these funds will not be available until next week.

As point person on Rules Committee for all defense issues, Congressman Cole has been working with the Armed Services Committee, especially Chairman Hunter, in the drafting process of the Defense Authorization in order to help craft the best piece of legislation that will be able to pass through Rules Committee and on the House floor.

The House is expected to vote on the Defense Authorization Bill next week.

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