Spending bill boosts Hampton Roads defense community

Virginia's two senators say the compromise federal spending bill released Monday will benefit the Hampton Roads defense community, from submarine construction at Newport News Shipbuilding to projects at military bases.

The $1 trillion "omnibus" measure includes a dozen smaller spending bills that fund all discretionary spending until October. House and Senate negotiators released it late Monday, avoiding the possibility of a government shutdown for the next 10 months.

In a joint news release, senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine cited the following provisions of interest to the region:

Virginia class submarines: Funds the construction of two Virginia class submarines per year and includes additional money to buy an extra Virginia class sub in the next five-year defense plan. The Newport News shipyard builds the submarines in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, Conn.

Base construction: The budget incluides $54.8 million for buildings and barracks at Joint Base Langley Eustis and $67 million for a distribution depot in Richmond

Ship depot maintenance: Fully funds Navy ship repair accounts for 2014, which is key for overall upkeep of the fleet and for public and private shipyards in Hampton Roads.

"We have come a long way in one year since we faced down the challenges that sequester introduced in 2013 -- what I described as 'stupidity on steriods,'" Warner said.

"Fully funding our aircraft carrier and Virginia class submarine fleet will help maintain our industrial base while supporting the economy in Hampton Roads," Kaine said.

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