WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), John Boozman (AR-03), and Mike Ross (AR-04) and United States Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor announced today that the House of Representatives passed the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act, HR 1588, which would authorize defense spending projects in Arkansas.
The legislation is expected to go before the Senate next week for final passage, and then to the President to be signed into law.
§ $6.2 Million for Intelligence Communications at LRAFB
The Delegation secured $6.2 million for intelligence communications equipment to be used by the 123rd Intelligence Squadron at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The equipment is essential to provide imagery capability to unmanned reconnaissance aerial vehicles such as the Predator, Global Hawk and U-2.
§ Delegation Votes to Clarify Per Diem law affecting Guard Unit at LRAFB
The 123rd Intelligence Squadron of the Air National Guard, based at the LRAFB, is in their second year of deployment to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. When these reservists take leave from the base to visit their families, they lose per diem provided by the military to offset their housing costs. However, this is not the case for active-duty personnel, who continue to receive subsidized housing costs while on leave. The House voted to authorize per diem for these reservists so that they do not suffer financially when on leave.
The conference report also contains language that supports the construction of a child care development center at Little Rock Air Force Base and strongly encourages the Secretary of Defense to include the project in the President's fiscal year 2005 budget submission for the Air Force.
§ Delegation Votes To Allow Return of Reserve Center To UCA
The Arkansas delegation also voted to allow the transfer of the Army Reserve Center located on the University of Central Arkansas campus to the university upon completion of a new facility.
The U.S. Army Reserve currently leases the 3-acre university property. The 12,226 square-foot center on the east end of the campus is home to the Bravo Command unit of the 489th Battalion, a 100-member combat engineer unit. Congress has previously approved funding for the construction of a new $5.2 million center at Conway's Industrial Park that is expected to be complete by 2004.
§ $859 million For 3 Products Built in East Camden
The vote also authorized over $859 million for products manufactured partly in East Camden, including $652 million for 138 PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capabilities) missiles, $32 million for procurement of 2.75-inch Hydra missiles, and $10 million in additional funding to the President's budget request for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) research.
§ $5 Million for Munitions Made at Pine Bluff Arsenal
Additionally, H.R. 1588 included $5 million for the procurement of M930A1's, which are 120mm mortar illumination ammunitions. These munitions are manufactured at the Pine Bluff Arsenal.
§ $24 Million for Pine Bluff Arsenal's White Phosphorous Facility
The delegation secured $24 million for facility upgrades and new equipment at the Pine Bluff Arsenal's White Phosphorous Facility. The Pine Bluff Arsenal possesses the only white phosphorous facility for all U.S. Armed Forces.
§ $3.1 Million for Warren National Guard Armory
The Delegation secured $3.1 million to construct a new National Guard Armory within the Warren Industrial Park. The current facility, which is the home for the 3rd Battalion 153rd infantry, was built in 1958 and lacks amenities such as adequate classroom areas and office space, cooking facilities, air conditioning and a fuel facility.
§ $1 Million for UofA Research Projects
The delegation secured $1 million to continue important University of Arkansas research and development work in the field of ferroelectric and electronic-photonic nanodevices
§ $5 Million for Lone Star Army Depot
The delegation secured $5 million for the M87A1 Volcano Anti-Tank Mine System at the Lone Star Army Depot. The Volcano system is a key component of the Army landmine program. This system replaces the use of hand emplaced conventional minefields, thereby reducing the exposure of personnel to hostile fire.
§ Concurrent Receipt
The conference report also contains a provision that would enhance benefits for military retirees who also qualify for benefits from the VA for a service connected disability. Under the compromise, full concurrent receipt would be phased in over 10 years for those retirees whose disability is rated at 50 percent or greater.
"While I recognize the compromise to provide additional compensation to veterans who are entitled to VA disability benefits and military retired pay represents an improvement over current policy, I regret that House leaders objected to a proposal I support to fully repeal the dollar for dollar offset," Senator Lincoln said. I am firmly committed to full repeal of the offset and will continue to fight to allow military retirees to receive the benefits they have earned."
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