Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives passed today the National Defense Authorization Act conference report which contained various legislative requests by Congressman Akin, ranking member of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. Congressman Akin who served as a conferee also fought the addition of extraneous hate crimes legislation that had been added in the Senate version of the bill. The controversial language, which threatened to politicize the defense authorization process, was finally removed from the report.

"I am pleased to have served as a conferee on this important legislation that authorizes defense spending for FY 2008," said Akin. "Along with defeating attempts to politicize the process, the final product includes significant legislation to help our war fighters and veterans including the Wounded Warrior Act."

Congressman Akin also spearheaded the authorization for additional C-17's. The Senate version authorized no C-17's and the conference report included authorization of $2.5 billion for eight of the military transport aircraft.

The conference report also included the authorization for 23 EA-18G aircraft. The production of the EA-18G is a project long championed by Congressman Akin. The EA-18G is a Super Hornet version of a radar jamming aircraft which is replacing the Navy's aging fleet of "Prowlers" that are now used to jam enemy radar and electronically counter attempts to attack U.S. aircraft during combat. The EA-18G's are built by Boeing in St. Louis.

"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the EA-18G has been one of my priorities as it greatly enhances our strike capability and mission survivability," said Akin.

The report also authorizes 33 F-18's, as well as $3.4 billion for Future Combat Systems research & development and initial procurement.