Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the House of Representatives passed the FY2015 defense funding bill that contains provisions to strengthen the Northwest economy and improve national defense.

The bill includes full funding for a number of programs Larsen has advocated for, including the KC-46A tanker.

“Northwest Washington is home to some of the country’s preeminent Navy bases, as well as the best aerospace workers in the world. This bill invests in both by funding aircraft that will be built in the Pacific Northwest and will help the military fulfill its missions,” Larsen said.

Larsen pushed for full funding of the tanker in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, a bill that sets forth policy authority for defense programs. The appropriations bill is the next step in the funding process.

The defense funding bill includes funding for several programs in Northwest Washington:

·         Full funding ($2 billion) for the P-8A Poseidon program. The Navy recently decided to base six P-8A squadrons at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

·         Funding ($1 billion) for 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft.

·         Full funding ($1.583 billion) for seven KC-46A refueling tankers. Boeing’s Everett factory is building the KC-46A.

The bill also includes funding to reduce and prevent sexual assault in the military. Language in the bill calls for military leadership to make more of a commitment to stop sexual assault. The President’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program received $275 million, $50 million above last year’s level.

“Sexual assault is unacceptable in all circumstances. This bill makes progress toward ending sexual violence in the military, but there is more to do. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to make sure the Pentagon can successfully put in place a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault,” Larsen said.

Amendments to the bill addressed intelligence surveillance, as well as considerations of the U.S. role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Larsen supported an amendment reforming the National Security Agency’s surveillance practices. The amendment, which the House passed, prevents the NSA from conducting “backdoor searches” of foreign intelligence for Americans’ communications. Larsen has been an advocate for NSA surveillance reform.

“NSA surveillance practices need to come out into the light so the American public knows what data the government collects. Closing this loophole is a step in the right direction,” Larsen said.  

In two votes, Larsen pushed to prevent defense funding for combat operations in Iraq, in light of escalating conflict in the country between Sunnis and Shia.

“Solutions to the fighting in Iraq will not come from more war, but instead from systemic and long-term political change. Any actions the U.S. takes in Iraq must be consistent with our goal of creating a government that all Iraqis see as their own,” Larsen said.

The House ultimately voted down both amendments prohibiting funding for Iraq combat operations.

Larsen also voted in favor of ending funding for combat operations in Afghanistan after December 31, 2014. While the amendment failed, Larsen’s vote was another in a series to wind down combat in Afghanistan.

“It is time to transition security efforts to the Afghan people. I am disappointed the House failed to pass an amendment that would have required us to have a needed debate about our continued mission in Afghanistan,” Larsen said.

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