Rep. Peters Highlights Key San Diego Defense Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement to highlight the funds coming to San Diego from H.R. 4870, the ‘Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Defense Appropriations Act,’ which passed the House by a wide 340-73 margin.

“This is a bipartisan bill that protects San Diego’s military assets and provides the funding necessary for our military to complete its missions around the world. The funds support jobs across the San Diego region, honor our commitment to our servicemembers and their families, and help maintain our national security.”

Last month, Congressman Peters helped pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorized the funding in today’s bill through both the House Armed Services Committee and the floor of the House of Representatives. This Defense Appropriations bill now awaits action in the Senate.

Funding for Items Important to San Diego

The bill includes funding for 24 MQ-9 UAVs, manufactured by General Atomics at their Poway facility. This builds on Rep. Peters work to divert funds from a dead project, deemed a “zombie earmark,” to this priority item for the Air Force. It also includes funding for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and E/A-18 Growlers, which are manufactured partially with parts from San Diego companies.

It also includes funding for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington, which has been a priority for Rep. Peters given the role that aircraft carriers play in San Diego’s regional economy and the need for the US Navy to maintain its 11 carrier fleet into the future.

There is $5 million in additional funding included in the Research and Development section for the Navy’s Capabilities Advanced Technology Program, which UC San Diego Scripps is using for anti-submarine warfare research, and $20 million added for the refurbishment of Navy research vessels used by universities, including UC San Diego Scripps.

The legislation also provides an additional $39 million for suicide prevention programs, $135 million for research into traumatic brain injury and psychological help, and $275 million to ensure that sexual assault prevention and response programs are fully funded.

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