WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren today amended the Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2010 to help protect jobs at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. Boren’s amendment prohibits the Secretary of the Army from using funding provided in the bill for transitioning an increasing number of military-owned and operated production activities, such as munitions production at McAAP, to contractors.
A directive issued last fall by the Department of Defense requires the Secretary of the Army to contract these production activities out; a change in policy that could have a significant impact on current and future production missions at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP).
“This amendment puts the brakes on a directive that will significantly change the way the Army produces ammunition and provides it to the front line. I believe it is in our national security interest to have a mix of both government and private munitions – not just one or the other. The Army’s recent directive would tip the balance too far toward our military services being completely dependent on contractors for ammunition production,” Boren said.
The amendment offered by Congressman Boren was adopted by the full U.S. House of Representatives and would prohibit the use of funding for these purposes for the upcoming fiscal year. Boren is also looking into a legislative initiative that would address the issue on a permanent basis as well.
“Since 9/11, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, a government-owned, government operated army ammunition plant, depot, and storage facility, has supplied our military commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan with the munitions that are critical for defending America. Their proven capability to contribute to mission success is invaluable to our national security and should not be affected by a shift to private sector ammo production,” Boren said.
The Defense Appropriations Act for FY2010 passed the U.S. House today by an overwhelming majority of 400 to 30 and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration later this year.
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