Calls Funding Critical For Uniformed Personnel And Civilians Alike

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)President and CEO Marion Blakey has issued a statement calling on Congress to quickly pass the full Defense Appropriations bill when it returns to Washington from its Easter recess.

Blakey says the industry is increasingly concerned about the lack of a completed fiscal year 2011 budget and reliance on continuing resolutions. "Secretary Gates and senior military officers have made it very clear that funding the Defense Department through continuing resolutions creates significant problems for the Pentagon and our men and women in uniform," she said in the statement.

"Without the predictability that comes with a fiscal year budget, program delays increase, costs increase and companies are faced with the prospect of downsizing the workforce, potentially disrupting the aerospace industrial base," Blakey continued. "In order for programs to be effectively managed not only at DOD but other federal agencies including NASA and FAA, and for companies to manage their responsibilities as contractors, a fiscal year budget must be completed as soon as Congress returns."

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org/