Press Releases
House Approves Funding to Keep A-10 Flying
Washington,
May 15, 2015
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Mary Carpenter
(202-834-0386)
The United States House of Representatives today approved legislation to keep the A-10 Thunderbolt flying. The Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in the House includes $682.7 million to fully support personnel and to preserve, modify and upgrade the A-10 fleet. The NDAA also prohibits the Air Force from placing A-10s in backup status or retirement.
Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), who represents Moody Air Force Base in Congress, has been a leader in the fight to preserve the A-10. During discussions leading to the passage of the legislation today by the House, he sent a letter to every member of the House Armed Services Committee asking for support of the aircraft, detailing its unique capabilities, and urging the committee to prohibit the Air Force from taking further action to divest the aircraft. Carter also testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee highlighting the importance of the A-10 to our national security and requesting full funding for the fleet. “Today is a big win in the fight to keep the Warthog flying to protect our troops in combat,” said Carter. “The legislation passed today not only funds the fleet, but it also provides the necessary protections to ensure there are no backdoor divestment attempts. We cannot risk the safety of our troops by retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt fleet without a viable alternative to take its place. Now it is time for the Senate to act and I strongly urge them to make the protection of our troops their top priority and provide the same support for the fleet as the House has done today.” The Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act passed the House today by a vote of 269-151. The legislation sets defense policy for the year and offers a $612 billion defense spending blueprint. The legislation increases troop pay and benefits, reinforces missions to defeat ISIS, strengthens our cyber defenses and boosts our missile defense capabilities. Carter voted in support of the legislation. |