Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced today that the House approved late Saturday night the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill.  Cramer, a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said the bill provides $459.3 billion for our nation’s defense programs, a ten percent increase over last year’s funding levels.

Specifically, the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations bill provides $8.6 billion for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).  This total includes $372.9 million for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor and $274.3 million for the Multiple Kill Vehicle. 

“Since the inception of our nation’s missile defense program, North Alabama has played an important role in its development,” said Cramer.  “This continued funding allows our community to work to implement this vital defense system.”

Representative Cramer also announced that he included language in the Defense Appropriations bill requiring the Department of Defense to carefully review the Air Force’s proposal to manage the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) of all services.  Representative Cramer is advocating for the Army’s efforts to maintain management of its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

“The Army’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program provides specific information to help Army commanders prepare their soldiers for combat,” said Cramer.  “Our soldiers’ safety and success depends on the speed and accuracy of this information and maintaining management of this program in the Army’s hands ensures this information is delivered efficiently to the battlefield.”

The FY 2008 Defense Appropriations bill also includes $925 million for the acquisition of equipment for the National Guard and Reserve.  This amount is $635 million above last year’s funding level.  The bill also provides a 3.5 percent pay raise for America’s warfighters.

In addition, North Alabama will work on specific programs for the U.S. Army, including:

• Rapid Response System for Protection of Air and Ground Vehicles.
• Integrated Modeling of Air and ground Environments.
• Radiation Hardening Initiative (RADHARD).
• Autonomous Cargo Acquisition for Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
• Nanosystem Engineering for Missile Applications (NEMA).

Representative Cramer has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 1998, and is a new member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  This Subcommittee determines funding and provides oversight for the U.S. Military, its programs, systems, and acquisitions.