Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, successfully included several provisions in a bill passed today setting policy for the Department of Defense. Larsen, a member of the House Armed Services Committee which wrote the bill, included measures that support the Northwest economy and improve the national defense.

“This defense bill meets the needs of our sailors and aviators in Northwest Washington and our troops around the world,” Larsen said. “The provisions I included in this bill will strengthen the economy in Northwest Washington and make our nation stronger.”

The bill includes language that Larsen introduced to help small- and medium-sized businesses secure government contracts. The language will lower costs and increase funding for Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) which help businesses meet requirements for government contracts. The PTAC in Washington state has helped more than 2,200 businesses secure $222 million in government contracts and subcontracts since 2011, creating or retaining thousands of jobs.

“Small- and medium-sized businesses often provide the best products at the lowest costs,” Larsen said. “Because of complex contracting requirements, these businesses often need assistance to compete for government projects. My language in this bill will help more businesses compete for government contracts. It will help companies grow and create jobs, and it will get the best products at the lowest costs to federal, state and local agencies.”

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

• full funding ($3.2 billion) for the P-8A Poseidon program (all seven Pacific squadrons of the Boeing-built Poseidons are slated to be based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island);
• full funding ($1.6 billion) for the KC-46 refueling tanker which is being constructed at Boeing’s Everett Factory; and
• full funding for three construction projects at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, including $32.482 million for EA-18G facility improvements, $85.176 million for P-8A facilities and $10 million to replace the fuel pier breakwater.

The bill also includes two amendments that Larsen authored which will:

• designate a senior official within the Department of Defense to facilitate the transfer of prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay; and
• restore funding to research and development in the nuclear nonproliferation budgets at the Department of Energy and Department of Defense.

The defense bill includes 30 provisions to reduce sexual assaults in the military which will strip commanders of their ability to dismiss findings of court martials, prohibit commanders from reducing sentences, allow victims to apply for permanent changes of station and provide victims access to special counsels.

“Sexual assault is not acceptable in any circumstances,” Larsen said. “I am pleased Congress is taking some important steps to counter the scourge of sexual violence in our military, but we have much more to do. The armed services need to aggressively combat sexual assault at all levels. From the lowest enlistee to the top brass, every member of the military must embrace a zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual assault. Congress must take greater action if the Pentagon’s efforts fall short.”

The defense bill, which the House passed today, must be approved by the Senate before being signed into law by the President.