Robin Carnahan: “I am proud today to express my support for the 2003 Defense Appropriations Act. The Conference Report I will vote for…”

“I am proud today to express my support for the 2003 Defense Appropriations Act. The Conference Report I will vote for provides a much-needed boost to our Defense budget, a total of $355.1 billion, $21 billion more than was appropriated for this year. This is the largest defense budget in our Nation's history, and it could not come at a more important time. Our military is engaged in a global campaign against terror, and could be preparing for another war soon. It is essential that our military remains outfitted with the most advanced equipment to meet threats to our Nation today as well as into the future. But our most important asset is our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. I am proud to support this bill, and its funding for a 4.1 percent increase in basic pay for all service members. This bill is good for the military, good for the country, and good for Missouri. In fact, it funds over $293 million for a number of Missouri defense projects, many of which will directly stimulate economic development in my State. In particular, the projects funded in this bill, from Boeing F/A-18 aircraft, to new advances in chemical and biological defenses, will support America's war effort against international terrorism. Missouri's single largest defense contract, the F/A-18 program employs over 4,000 people in the St. Louis area.”