WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would increase funding to the Army’s heavy wheeled vehicles produced in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The bipartisan amendment would add $109 million to help avoid steep budget cuts to tactical wheeled vehicles (TWVs) that would exert harmful and unnecessary pressure on the hundreds of small and medium sized business that make up the TWV industrial base. The amendment would help Oshkosh continue to produce the Army’s Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) at a rate necessary to ensure production lines aren’t interrupted. The TWV industrial base consists of 557 suppliers and generated $1.33 billion in FY20 economic activity. Within that total, 318 small businesses generated almost $700 million in FY20 economic activity.

“It is essential to maintain a manufacturing base that can supply our defense needs,” said Senator Johnson. “I support this amendment that will maintain important manufacturing capabilities in Wisconsin to help keep our nation safe and secure.” 

“The mobility of the U.S. military and safety of U.S. service members is highly dependent on this key platform. The military will also need to maintain an ability to safely transport troops, fuel, and supplies which these vehicles specialize in doing,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin manufacturers like Oshkosh Defense strengthen our national defense and create jobs. As I have done previously when budget cuts were proposed, I am working to make sure there is adequate funding for these important programs so that Oshkosh Defense can continue doing what it does best – building the safest and highest quality Made in Wisconsin vehicles for the brave men and women of our military.”

A copy of the NDAA amendment filed by Senators Johnson and Baldwin can be found here.

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