Rep. Cunningham secures critical Lowcountry priorities in 2021 defense funding bill

Rep. Joe Cunningham announced on Tuesday he secured critical Lowcountry priorities in the Fiscal Year 2021 defense funding bill.

The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

“The Lowcountry plays a critical role in ensuring our national defense,” said Rep. Joe Cunningham. “I am proud to stand behind a funding bill that recognizes the importance of Lowcountry military installations and ensures they have the resources they need to protect and defend our great nation.”

The defending funding bill includes the following:

• Funding for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines, which will support nearly a 1,000 manufacturing jobs in the Charleston area.
• $3 million for the Cyber Institute at the Citadel, which allow this important institution to continue to support our national defense by helping to identify, educate, and expand our cybersecurity talent pipeline.
• $50 million in funding for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which help address deficiencies in infrastructure that support military installation, such as by expanding Red Bank Road.
• $8.7 million to accelerate the fielding of the Advanced Airborne Expendable Countermeasure Dispenser System, which will help protect the U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35B aircraft and pilots from incoming missiles