The massive bill would also strip Confederate names from military bases and end transfers of military equipment to local police.
National Defense Authorization Act
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Congress adds to Pentagon’s request for key CT-made defense programs
Increases in submarine production and F-35s win preliminary approval, but a Senate panel cuts the number of Sikorsky Black Hawks.
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Senate approves massive defense bill, but trims number of F-35s
WASHINGTON – The Senate late Monday approved a $716 billion defense authorization bill that trims the number of F-35’s the Pentagon can purchase this year, but allows for more spending on Electric Boat submarine programs and Sikorsky-made helicopters. “Five percent of our country’s defense spending is done in Connecticut,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
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New defense bill increases sub production, other CT defense work
WASHINGTON — A new defense bill, a summary of which was released Friday, would authorize increased production of Virginia-class submarines built by Electric Boat and boost other Connecticut-made defense programs by even more than President Donald Trump requested.
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Senate heads toward political fight over new base closing round
WASHINGTON — The Senate is readying for a showdown over whether the nation needs another round of base closings – a move that could once again put Naval Submarine Base New London on the defensive.
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House defense bill dashes hopes for increased EB sub production
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House is poised to throw cold water on plans to increase the rate of submarine building at Electric Boat. That’s because a defense spending bill the House hopes to vote on Friday does not contain language or money that would allow the Navy to purchase the next block of Virginia-class submarines and increase a two-a-year production rate to three.
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Congress reduces numbers of F-35s, Black Hawks
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators sharply cut funding for Connecticut-made Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters and trimmed the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy next year.
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Murphy has win in ‘Buy America’ campaign
WASHINGTON – The Senate on Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy that would require the Pentagon to report to Congress purchases made overseas in the hope it would discourage shopping there.
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Blumenthal takes aim at NFL’s paid tributes to soldiers
WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Blumenthal has teamed with Sen. John McCain to try to end the Pentagon’s practice of paying the National Football League and other professional sports franchises to honor American troops at sporting events.
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CT Lawmakers split on defense bill Obama dislikes
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers were split Friday over a massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars for the state’s defense industry but has provoked a veto threat from President Obama for boosting military spending in an account that’s out of the reach of a spending cap.
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Minus Himes, CT lawmakers vote for billions in defense spending
WASHINGTON – With the help of most, but not all of the Connecticut congressional delegation, the House on Thursday approved spending billions of dollars for submarines, helicopters and jets made by the state’s defense contractors.