Portman Fights for National Security Interests, Taxpayer Dollars, and Ohio's Military Workforce During Defense Budget Mark-up

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), worked to ensure that the nation’s defense policies and dollars provide the best security for Americans during the committee’s mark-up of the Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization for 2012. 

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to protect our national security interests, and service members who risk their lives for our freedoms,” said Portman. “The DoD budget we are offering is fiscally responsible and provides our men and women in uniform with the resources and equipment they need to defend America."

"I also worked to ensure that the great work being done in Ohio to support our national security interests is utilized and strengthened,” he added. 

Ohio is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as well as many other Defense Department facilities and Reserve and National Guard units.  Additionally, Ohio’s companies are key suppliers and research partners for all the military services.

"The expertise and capabilities at Wright-Patterson are critical to the Air Force’s ability to retain its worldwide superiority," added Portman who recently toured the base’s Air Force Research Lab.  “It’s also important that we ensure our Ohio companies continue to foster technology innovation and provide much needed capabilities to our service men and women."

Portman successfully advocated for the following measures, which are included in the Armed Services Committee Authorization:

• A change to the law governing the administration of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).  This change, which dictates the leadership requirements for the Wright-Patterson based institute for engineering and technology will ensure it continues to have top notch leadership and students.
• Removal of a provision that would have ended flexible hiring practices for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).  It is key to AFRL’s mission to continue to attract and hire highly qualified engineers, scientists and other professionals. 
• Authorization of an additional $32 million for DoD corrosion control efforts and policies for integrating corrosion control considerations throughout the Departments processes. All too often, corrosion issues are taken into account once warfighters are operating equipment rather than when it is newly acquired, resulting in high sustainment costs and equipment that has to be taken out of commission. The Department estimates that corrosion in military equipment costs the armed services over $22 billion per year. Adopting corrosion control measures on the front end will both save the Department significant money and ensure our service members have sustainable and operable equipment. Many Ohio companies and academic institutions are doing innovative work in this area.
• Direction to the Air Force to evaluate purchasing more C-27J Spartan Joint Cargo Aircraft than currently planned to meet the wartime demands for this versatile aircraft. The 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, stationed in Mansfield, was the first unit to receive these aircraft. 
• An additional $322 million in funding to the Army for the upgrading of Abrams Main Battle Tanks.  The Army was considering closing production and shutting down the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, OH.  This work in 2012 will retain the highly trained workforce in Lima as well as suppliers across the state to ensure we continue to build and provide our Soldiers and Marines with the most capable tanks in the world.  
• Increased funding for a series of initiatives that advance research and development of advanced materials and innovative manufacturing technologies.  These programs, some of which are managed by the Air Force Research Lab and rely heavily on Ohio’s manufacturing expertise, have provided significant advancements in production processes in the aviation field, resulting in improved capabilities and reduced costs.
• Language recognizing the importance of having a domestic source for enriched uranium using U.S. technology to meet our nation’s future tritium requirements.  Tritium is a key component in the systems that comprise the United States’ nuclear arsenal.   Many international agreements govern the production of this resource.  The USEC American Centrifuge Project in Piketon, OH can provide much needed enriched uranium within these constraints, but is waiting on approval of a loan guarantee to move forward with the project.  Portman’s advocacy for the national security value to be included in the credit subsidy calculation strengthens the project’s chance.  This project is estimated to create 8,000 jobs nationally, including 4,000 in Ohio.
• Direction to encourage DoD to evaluate the inventory of high-purity beryllium, which is a critical metal for the development of many weapon systems and other defense applications.  Ensuring that this stockpile meets defense requirements is imperative if it is to serve as an insurance policy for production in a national emergency. Ohio plays a key role in processing this critical national security resource.
• A measure, offered by Portman and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), that would prohibit DoD from collecting or using information about political contributions made by businesses that wish to do business with the federal government.  In April, the Obama Administration seriously considered the idea of an Executive Order requiring federal agencies to collect information about campaign contributions and political expenditures of would-be contractors before awarding any federal contract. In response,  Collins and Portman introduced the “Keeping Politics Out of Federal Contracting Act of  2011” which reaffirms the fundamental principle that federal contracts should be awarded free from political considerations and be based on the best value to the taxpayers. 
• Language to reinforce that DoD should follow established cost accounting methods for decisions regarding the use of the civilian workforce versus hiring contractors.  This will ensure the most cost effective approach is pursued in future staffing decisions.