[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORTING THE NAVY EA-18G ``GROWLER''

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JASON T. SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the House 
Armed Services Committee (HASC) and its Chairman, Buck McKeon, on 
passage of the National Defense Authorization Act FY15 today that 
includes funding for additional Navy EA-18G ``Growler'' aircraft as 
well as language to stretch the EA-18G and FA-18 E/F lines in St. 
Louis, Missouri.
  I recently visited the F-18 line in St. Louis, Missouri near my 
district. Like many Members I have an F-18 supplier in my district. 
Without additional funding, this line will shut down and we as a nation 
will lose a national asset including thousands of dedicated and 
talented workers who make up this defense industrial base.
  But the EA-18G is about more than just jobs--it is about supporting 
our warfighter. The U.S. Navy has clearly stated before Congress this 
year that it has a requirement for additional EA-18G airborne 
electronic attack aircraft that are vital to current and future 
operations--both for the Navy and other services. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues in the coming weeks, especially on the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, to help address this clear Navy 
and joint war fighting requirement. The warfighter needs the EA-18G and 
we in Congress need to continue to support our warfighters.

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