Ft Worth Times

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives approved the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, allocating crucial funding for the Department of Defense. Chairwoman Kay Granger, who heads the Appropriations Committee, emphasized the significance of this funding for national defense and defense jobs, particularly in and around Fort Worth.

Chairwoman Kay Granger stated, "As the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, I secured funding that is crucial to our national defense and defense jobs in and around Fort Worth. With North Texas being home to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and mission-critical defense companies, our region plays a crucial role in our national defense. The men and women who serve at Fort Worth’s military base defend the freedoms Americans enjoy every day. We must ensure they have the most effective, cutting-edge aircraft, including the F-35, V-22, and V-280 – all of which are made right here in Fort Worth."

Granger expressed her pride in Texas-12 for being home to world-class manufacturing jobs, highlighting the vital contribution these jobs make to strengthening the military and confronting national security threats. She further pledged to continue advocating for more opportunities within the defense industry for the region.

Granger concluded by urging the Senate to pass the bill and send it to the President for final approval.

BACKGROUND

The Defense appropriations bill for FY24 specifically supports jobs in Texas' 12th Congressional District.

The bill includes the production of 86 new F-35 aircraft at the Lockheed facility in Fort Worth, surpassing the Department of Defense's initial request by three aircraft. This funding also supports critical modernization and sustainment efforts for the F-35 program, which, in turn, sustains over 17 suppliers and creates 49,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, the program boasts an annual economic impact of $9.4 billion.

Furthermore, the bill allocates $675 million for five additional CMV-22s to be built by Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth. These aircraft are vital for the operations of the United States Navy.

The Defense appropriations bill also designates $1.49 billion for the development of the Bell V-280 for the United States Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. This funding supports over 5,100 employees in Fort Worth and North Texas.

Fort Worth is renowned for its highly skilled defense employees and engineers who specialize in delivering cutting-edge capabilities to the military. In addition to the aforementioned job creators, companies such as Elbit Systems of America, Parker Aerospace, Moog, Memsel Inc., Eaton Aerospace, Nauticus Robotics, Albers Aerospace, GKN, and their hardworking employees are set to directly benefit from the bill's provisions.

For more information, please visit: https://kaygranger.house.gov/