Washington, D.C.– Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today issued the following statements in response to the completion of the Defense Appropriations process and imminent filing of the final conference report.

Dodd said: "The Cold War may be history, but dangers and challenges abroad are not. We need to be ready to meet any challenge abroad and to protect our national interests when threatened. That's why this measure is important – it delivers the high tech weaponry the dawn of 21st century demands, and the best trained armed forces to utilize them when the need arises.

"I'm specifically pleased to see an increase in the number of Blackhawks, and helicopters in general and the fact that opponents were unable to ground the F-22 which is a critically important component in future aviation warfare. I'm also pleased we were successful in our efforts to maintain a strong and vibrant submarine force.

"Of course, the best part of this measure is the fact that it protects one of our nation's greatest resources, which are the workers in Connecticut. Without them we couldn't build a strong national defense, which is why I've been so troubled by recent layoffs. In my view, one layoff is one too many because each and every worker represents the very heart and soul of our national defense."

Lieberman added: "I am pleased and gratified that the major Connecticut programs have fared extremely well in the House-Senate conference on the Defense Appropriations bill for the coming fiscal year. The conferees had to resolve some very difficult issues involving some expensive and critical defense programs, including the F-22, and their choices validated the importance of the programs that we have been fighting so hard to preserve," Lieberman said.

"As a result, the F-22 will proceed much as originally planned, which is good news for Pratt & Whitney and its workers. In addition, there is full funding for Sikorsky to build 36 Blackhawk helicopters, which Congress had previously authorized. There is the full funding we sought for the next New Attack Submarine, which will be built by Electric Boat. And there is strong support for a number of other valuable Connecticut programs, which is critical to maintaining the state's skilled workforce on which our future security depends."