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Funding Bill Includes $378 Million for ITT, $890 Million for HumveesThird District Employers Continue to Equip Our Men and Women in UniformMarch 16, 2006 U.S. Rep. Mark Souder voted today for House passage of H.R. 4939, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery for Fiscal Year 2006, which includes $378 million that will go directly to ITT Industries’ Aerospace / Communications Division in Fort Wayne. The funding bill also includes $890 million for the procurement of new, up-armored Humvees. The Third Congressional District is the second-largest supplier of parts for Humvees, which are manufactured by A.M. General Corporation in Mishawaka. The House passed H.R. 4939 by a bipartisan majority of 348-71. “Our defense-related employers are playing a vital role in supplying our courageous men and women in uniform with the necessary tools to fight the War on Terror,” Souder said. “Parts for the Humvee are made throughout northeast and north-central Indiana. And ITT makes the SINCGARS in Fort Wayne. Today’s bill is not only meaningful for our soldiers, it’s important for economic development in our area.” “These funding numbers still have to be approved by the Senate, so they’re not yet final,” Souder added. Made by ITT in Fort Wayne, the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) is a family of very high frequency FM (VHF-FM) combat net radios designed to provide the primary means for command and control for combat, combat support and combat service support units. Since 1985, the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (or Humvee) has been the mainstay truck of the U.S. military. With its assembly plant located in Mishawka, A.M. General has produced more than 185,000 Humvees. H.R. 4939 also provides the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department with the authority to use up to $275 million of the VA funds in the bill to avert a shortfall in the VA medical services program. It will be sent to the Senate for further action.
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