WASHINGTON, DC – Thursday, June 18, 2015 – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Senate Democrats’ effort to block the Department of Defense Appropriations bill, which contains several provisions that are important to Alabama’s role in supporting our national defense:

“The Department of Defense Appropriations bill provides vital funding for our nation’s military, and it is extremely irresponsible for Senate Democrats to hold this legislation hostage in order to pursue increased funding for government bureaucracies like the EPA and IRS. I will continue to fight against any effort to block funding for our nation’s top defense priorities and remain committed to supporting our men and women in uniform.”

The FY16 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill includes provisions important to Alabama:

• Funding for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program - $1.3 billion

• Funding for an additional Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) - $225 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request

• Funding for the next generation rocket engine - $143.6 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request

• Funding for missile and rocket advanced technology - $50 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request

• Funding for high energy laser and thermal management development - $24 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request

• Funding for improved homeland defense interceptors - $20 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Request

• Funding for prompt global strike capability - $10 million

• Funding for the javelin missile procurement - $50 million above the President’s FY16 Budget Reques