In the News
Rep. Richard Neal cites jobs at Warren Pump, General Dynamics in defense bill vote
Washington,
December 8, 2021
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, said Wednesday that his vote to help pass the $768 billion National Defense Authorization Act strengthened both national security and local communities. It includes provisions addressing highly toxic PFAS contamination in the groundwater around military bases, like Westfield’s Barnes Air National Guard Base, as well as funding projects at employers like Warren Pumps in Warren and General Dynamics in Pittsfield. Both General Dynamics and Warren Pumps are contractors for the Navy. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, found in the firefighting foam, can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. They have been found in Westfield’s drinking water due to their use at Barnes. The air base quit using that type of foam for firefighting drills in 2015. “When we invest in what makes America strong – from our technology to our alliances to our men and women in uniform – we make our nation safer and stronger,” said Neal, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The NDAA is good for residents of western and central Massachusetts and the industries we have here that help keep our government going.” He added, “In addition to a 2.7% raise for our service members, there is more funding to support jobs and growth in our region. These include the authorization of projects that directly impact the workforce at General Dynamics in Pittsfield and Warren Pumps in Warren and the two entities will be able to retain roughly 1,500 jobs. In addition, the NDAA includes many provisions related to addressing the PFAS contamination in communities Westfield and throughout Berkshire County.” The National Defense Authorization Act also requires that servicemembers in the National Guard and Reserves get paid at the same rate as their active-duty counterparts for special duty pay, Neal said. “Westover Air Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development and this bill will ensure they are able to continue being strong community partners,” the congressman said. The bill had bipartisan support with 364 votes Tuesday. It goes now to the United States Senate and then on to President Joe Biden. With regard to PFAS, the bill as passed Tuesday adds $517 million above the Biden’s request for clean-up of military communities impacted by PFAS contamination and adds $100 million to the Base Realignment and Closure Accounts for environmental remediation, according to a summary provided by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill also creates a Department of Defense PFAS task force to unify the response to PFAS contamination across the military departments and requires the Pentagon to make information about the “forever chemicals” public. According to the new serve Reuters, the bill did not boost funding for F-35 fighter jets, bucking a trend in recent years where more money was put into the F-35 program. Westfield and the Air National Guard are working to attract these next-generation fighters to Barnes Air National Guard Base. The base has been evaluated. Neal’s office said Wednesday that the Air Force assures the congressman that it’ll have a decision for Westfield before the second quarter of 2022. But this defense bill limits the F-35 program, while boosting plans for cheaper, and less attractive to Westfield, F-15EX jets. According to the website Defense News, it places limits on how many pales the military can order and plans around the planes until they meet affordability targets. Westfield might instead get w F-15EXs, improved versions of the planes it has now. The F-15EX upgrade would be good, but wouldn’t guarantee Barnes’ place in the Air Force for as long into the future. Defense News said the bill does provide more money for F-15EX fighters. Neal’s office said the bill also:
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