Defense

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01)—Co-Chair of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus—released the following statement:

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. Included in the bill was a bipartisan provision he authored with Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) to ensure military families who have children on the autism spectrum can receive the care they need. Earlier this year, TRICARE—the health insurance program for active duty and retired military personnel and families—drastically cut reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA), a widely recognized treatment for children on the autism spectrum.

Seoul – On Tuesday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Joint Security Area as part of his trip to the Republic of Korea. The DMZ was created at the end of the Korean War, and acts as buffer between North and South Korea. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in the Republic of Korea.

Washington - Today, the U.S. Air Force declared the F-35 has achieved Initial Operational Capability. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Co-Chair of the Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, released the following statement:

Seoul – This week, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) traveled to the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) to meet with key officials, visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and discuss how to promote Connecticut businesses and exports. Upon arrival, Larson held a courtesy call with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to Korea and discuss strengthening and expanding the alliance.

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on his vote in favor of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017:

“While I strongly disapprove of the Republican Leadership’s continued use of budgetary gimmicks, I ultimately decided that the defense of our nation is too important to go unfunded.