WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to authorize funding for U.S. troops and defense projects.  Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in favor of H.R. 2647, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.  The bill continues the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, which currently has contracts with Marinette Marine, and sets restrictions on the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States.

“This bill will provide our troops a pay raise, better health care and the benefits they have earned,” Stupak said.  “I was especially pleased to vote in favor of this bill because of two provisions critical to families and businesses across Northern Michigan – authorization to continue the LCS program and clear guidelines on the potential transfer of Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil.”

H.R. 2647 includes important benefits and protections for troops and their families, including a 3.4 percent military pay raise, $6.9 billion for critical, high-priority equipment for the National Guard and Reserve and a one-year ban on fee increases on TRICARE inpatient care. 

“The best way to honor our troops is to keep the commitments we have made to them,” Stupak said.  “This bill will restore our military’s readiness and ensure our troops are fully prepared for the threats and challenges they face worldwide.”

H.R. 2647 also authorizes $480 million per ship, up to 10 ships, as part of the LCS program.  The United States Navy recently announced it was cancelling a plan to procure three LCS ships in Fiscal Year 2010.  However, it will open solicitation for new FY10 bids in the next few months taking a one-design, one-shipyard approach.  The winner of the bid will be awarded the FY10 ships and will be provided an option to build an additional two ships per year from FY11 to FY14, for a total of 10 ships.  That shipyard will benefit from a stable order quantity, training and production efficiencies to drive down costs.  Marinette Marine will have an opportunity to submit proposals for the FY10 ships under the new solicitation.

The bill prohibits the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States and restricts detainee transfers to the United States until 45 days after the President has submitted a plan for the transfers to Congress.  The plan must certify that the detainees will pose little to no risk to the United States if transferred.

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