Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) released a statement following his vote to pass the FY19 Defense Appropriations Bill:

“Today my colleagues and I voted to provide essential funding for our national security, and the men and women who provide it.  This bill supports the President’s goal of restoring American military readiness by modernizing our aging aircraft, ships and ground combat systems, and supporting our men and women in uniform around the world.  This bill also includes robust funding for our local military mission by appropriating a record level of $580 million for fleet-wide enhancements to Offutt-based C-135 and E-4 aircraft, including replacement of the aging WC-135 fleet.  Finally, I was glad to partner with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) and the House Appropriations Committee to provide funding for critical risk-reduction and integration efforts necessary to replace the OC-135 treaty observation aircraft, now entering their 57th year of service.   I look forward to working closely with my Senate colleagues on the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act conference committee to finalize this landmark legislation before sending it to the president for signature.”