Congress considers $851M in measures for isle defense
Associated Press
About $484 million worth of defense-related initiatives in Hawaii are included in the fiscal year 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, which was approved yesterday by the U.S. Senate.
Meanwhile, House-Senate conferees are considering separate legislation calling for nearly $367 million for military construction projects in the islands.
Excluding payroll and day-to-day operations, that would mean Hawaii would receive about $851 million in military-related spending during the fiscal year.
"The funds for the Hawaii-related projects are crucial for supporting key aspects of our national defense, such as the Pacific Command, the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, and the C-17 aircraft, which will provide transport for the Hawaii-based Stryker Brigade," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said in a news release.
"The bill also funds locally based high-tech research, development and evaluation to ensure that the U.S. military remains the world's best, and provide medical and other essential support for our men and women in uniform and their dependents," Inouye said.
Inouye is a member of the conference committee that will resolve differences in the House and Senate versions of the defense funding legislation.
The Senate version includes $25 million for the Maui Space Surveillance System, a facility that combines operational satellite tracking facilities with research and development.
The single most expensive item calls for $28.95 million for the U.S. Army, Pacific Command. The funds would be used to support the command, control, communications, computer and intelligence system known as C4I.