WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) applauded the bipartisan passage of the conference report for the FY2012 Department of Defense Authorization bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last evening and the U.S. Senate this afternoon.

“This final bill includes a number of critical provisions that will help ensure our nation’s servicemen and women have the resources they need in order to defend and protect America,” said Blunt.

“As our nation’s economy struggles to rebound, this bill begins to authorize the development of a new long-range strike bomber, which will hopefully help spur job creation in Missouri. I also hope Missouri will benefit from the final language in this legislation regarding the modernization of the mixed load weapon system of the B-2 Bomber,” Blunt continued.

“I’m pleased this bill includes my amendment to ensure National Guard soldiers mobilized for domestic emergency operations are entitled to the same employment rights when they return from active duty as those who are activated for service overseas. And I’m glad the legislation includes the amendment I introduced requiring the Secretary of Defense to perform a study and seek recommendations to evaluate how Naval vessels are named,” said Blunt.

“Earlier this year, I was pleased to cosponsor a bill requiring a review of Jewish World War I veterans’ military records to see if any qualify for the Medal of Honor. I’m very pleased this language was included in the Defense Authorization bill,” said Blunt. “I’m also glad this bill includes the original language passed by the Senate that designates the financial sector of Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, as a primary money laundering concern.”

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