CT’s submarine and aerospace companies and suppliers could see major investments in workforce and supply chain development.
NDAA
Posted inJustice
Connecticut police receive millions of dollars in military equipment from program that’s under fire
After George Floyd’s death the Pentagon give-away program and ‘militarization’ of police is under scrutiny.
Posted inJustice, News, Politics
House reacts to ‘a sexual assault crisis’ at Coast Guard Academy
A provision in a massive defense bill would establish an independent prosecutor to handle sex assault cases, instead of the chain of command.
Posted inNews
Courtney foils Trump’s red, white, blue Air Force One plan
WASHINGTON — Rep. Joe Courtney on Wednesday threw a big wrench into President Donald Trump’s plans to paint the iconic Air Force One jets red, white and blue.
Posted inNews
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.
Posted inNews, Politics
Final defense bill boosts Sikorsky helicopters and and EB subs, but trims F-35s
WASHINGTON – Congress has finished work on a final defense authorization bill that boosts military spending and provides more dollars for Connecticut defense contractors.
Posted inPolitics
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.
Posted inPolitics
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.
Posted inPolitics
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.
Posted inPolitics
Defense hawks hope Trump keeps vow to boost military spending
WASHINGTON — The House has approved a $619 billion defense bill and the Senate is expected to follow this week, but there’s a push to add F-35s, Black Hawk helicopters and other military hardware to the Pentagon’s shopping list early next year, right after President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
Posted inPolitics
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.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal: Lame duck need not be lame
WASHINGTON — Congress returns to work this week for a lame-duck session aimed at trying to set aside partisan differences long enough to keep the government from closing. Connecticut’s two Democratic senators also hope some of the state’s priorities will survive in the next six weeks.
Posted inPolitics
CT defense industry hurt by Congress’ inaction on spending bill
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers are facing a major obstacle in their attempts to boost the number of helicopters, airplane engines and submarines made by the state’s defense contractors: greater than-ever congressional gridlock over the defense budget.
Posted inPolitics
MGM stalled in effort to block new Indian casino in CT
WASHINGTON — MGM Resorts International’s efforts to block the establishment of a third casino run by Connecticut’s gaming tribes has stalled on Capitol Hill, leaving the future of the effort in doubt.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal, Murphy split over boost in defense spending
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy split this week on whether to boost military spending by $18 billion – allowing the Pentagon to increase its purchase of Connecticut-made weaponry – without raising the amount of money spent on domestic programs as well.