As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am working to ensure our armed forces remain the strongest, most technologically advanced force in the world. We must ensure our men and women in uniform are well-equipped to complete their missions today, as well as meet the inevitable threats of tomorrow.

That’s why I was proud to join an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of my colleagues in the House in passing the National Defense Authorization Act this week. The bill provides critical funding to address current readiness concerns, as well as enable long-term modernization of our forces.

Specifically, the bill provides $2 billion toward readiness initiatives like expanding training opportunities for the Army, filling current shortages in the country’s pre-positioned stockpiles of weapons and supplies, and equipment maintenance and training. In addition, it provides $800 million to address severe equipment shortfalls for our National Guard and Reserve forces. It will be a long road back to restoring readiness levels, but I believe we took an important first step by passing this bill.

Essential to providing a strong national defense is a fully modernized military.  The 8th District is at center stage in this effort, making vital contributions to our national defense through technological innovation at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in Martin County.

I am pleased that we were successful in efforts to bolster programs at Crane. The bill authorizes important programs like the Emerging/Critical Interconnection Technology (E/CIT) program which provides the military with a center focused on the latest American-based Printed Circuit Board technology, processes and equipment essential to our national security. It also provides for the continued partnership of Crane with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to develop a High Power Fiber Laser prototype to help protect our troops against incoming guided missiles.

It’s important to remember that this bill only provides authorization for these and other important programs at Crane. We must now work to ensure Congress follows up and provides adequate funding for these critical programs through the Appropriations process later this year. I will continue to serve as an advocate for Crane and the role it serves in strengthening our armed forces.

Sincerely,

Brad Ellsworth