Committee clears funding for Kalispell, Whitefish defense projects

Measure will create area jobs, boost protection against missile threats

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester and his colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee have passed legislation that will create jobs and boost national security by funding defense projects in Kalispell and Whitefish, Tester and Senator Max Baucus announced today.

The Senate Defense Appropriations Act includes funding to better protect Americans against missile threats and to make military installations more efficient. 

The legislation includes funding for:

• Sonju Industrial’s partnership with Raytheon to develop new equipment for the military’s airborne missile defense system  ($6 million)
• Advanced Composting Systems to develop more efficient waste processing systems for military installations ($2 million)

“Folks in Montana play a critical role in boosting America’s national security,” Tester said.  “Our state is also home to some of the country’s most innovative businesses.  These investments put that innovation to good use, helping making America safer and stronger.  They’re exactly the kinds of projects I’m proud to fight for.”

“This funding will mean more Montanans are being put to work to boost the safety of all Americans,” Baucus said. “I’m proud to support these important investments that will pay off in the long term—not just for Montana, but for the entire country.”

For a full list of funding for Montana under the Defense Appropriations Act, click HERE.

• A federal appropriations bill funds the federal government.  12 appropriations bills will fund the federal government for the next Fiscal Year.
• Less than one half of one percent of these appropriations bills consist of congressionally directed funding (also called “earmarks”).  This funding is not additional spending for the federal government, nor does it increase federal deficit.  Rather, it is a set of directions telling the government where it must use existing funds.
• In the past, appropriations funding had been abused by anonymous requests with little transparency.
• Since 2007, the process was overhauled to guarantee transparency and fair debate in Congress.
• All of Tester’s and Baucus’ appropriations requests are online HERE and HERE.