Washington, D.C. - In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins state their concern for the care, support, treatment, and rehabilitation for our service members returning from battle with injury and illness.

Senators Lieberman and Collins are the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Warrior Transition Units are designed to provide care, support, treatment and rehabilitation for the men and women returning from battle with injuries and illnesses. Media reports suggest that there is a backlog in care and provider shortages.

Injured service members must also deal with a confusing bureaucracy that appears to be threatening the proper treatment for the wounded. The Senators have asked for data from the Defense Department about who qualifies for treatment in the Warrior Transition Units, among other information, in order to conduct Congressional oversight.

The Warrior Transition Unit program was created to provide both quality medical and mental care and counseling to soldiers who have endured mid-level battlefield injures or wounds, said Senator Lieberman.

Lieberman said he agrees with Senator Collins that we must ensure that the WTU program is meeting the needs of our wounded soldiers and carrying out the goals and missions that it was designed to.

"I am concerned about media reports that this program has not been properly managed and administered and I am looking forward to a formal response to our letter on the matter," Lieberman stated.

"All service members deserve the best health care we can provide," said Senator Collins. "But a special level of care is required for 'him who shall have borne the battle.' We are concerned that those who were injured on the front lines are possibly being pushed to the back of the line. We can begin to provide better oversight and make a determination with the information we have requested from the Department of Defense about the program and process."

Washington, DC - Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Chris Murphy (CT-5) introduced the Naugatuck River Valley National Heritage Area Study Act today, which is the first step towards designating the area as a National Heritage Area.

The legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine if the area is suitable or not. Designating this area as a National Heritage Area will help to create more coordinated regional preservation and planning efforts aided by technical and planning assistance from the National Park Service.

"The Naugatuck Valley exemplifies the cultural strength of our country. The valley has a rich history with much to be proud of, from the legacy of a patchwork community of immigrants providing the industrial strength to get us through all of our nations wars, to the unique industrial-era and art-deco style buildings," said Lieberman. "I am pleased to introduce this legislation because our national heritage is embodied not just in our natural treasures, but on the cultural uniqueness of each part of our great nation."

Blumenthal said this region of Connecticut is a shining example of American history and deserves recognition as a National Heritage Area. Designation as a National Heritage Area will enable towns along the river to attract visitors who are eager to learn about this unique region.

"The fourteen communities that stretch along the Naugatuck River are steeped in agricultural, trade, architectural, and industrial history. A National Heritage Area designation would not only recognize its unique and historical significance, but would boost the local economy through cultural and historic tourism, and help Connecticut to preserve its history for generations to come," said DeLauro.

"The Naugatuck River corridor's rich history is equaled only by its natural beauty," Murphy said. "With some help from the National Park Service, we can help preserve both, while hopefully bringing much needed new tourism dollars to the region."

Washington, D.C. - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, strongly supported the committee's approval on Thursday of its draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012.

The National Defense Authorization Act will authorize a 1.6 percent across-the-board pay raise for all members of the uniformed services, consistent with the President's request. This would be the 12th year in a row that military pay increases would exceed those of the private sector. The act would authorize service secretaries to carry out one or more programs to provide service members with job training and employment skills training to help prepare them for employment in the civilian sector. It would encourage the Department of Defense to expand efforts aimed at preventing foreclosures on service members' home mortgages.

"This bill will provide our troops and their families the support they need, and I hope that the full Senate will take it up soon," Lieberman said. "The support this bill gives to Connecticut manufacturers shows just how important a role the state plays. I believe that Connecticut workers can not only feel more secure in their own jobs, but I expect that there will be new jobs in Connecticut's defense industry in the future."

The Defense Authorization Act will provide funding for the following key Connecticut programs:
- The bill will authorize $8.6 billion in total funding for the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter program and acquistion of 22 JSF aircraft, powered by Pratt and Whitney engines. The bill includes $3.3 billion for 19 F-35As for the Air Force; $1.1 billion for six F-35Bs for the Marine Corps; and $1.5 billion for seven Navy F-35Cs.

- The bill will authorize $5.8 billion in funding for our nation's critical submarine programs, to include the acquisition of two Virginia class submarines and the continued development of a next-generation ballistic missile submarine to replace our aging Ohio class ships.

- The bill will authorize over $3 billion in funding to procure Sikorsky helicopters, to include 71 Black Hawks, 18 Knighthawks, 24 Navy Seahawks, and an additional $677 million to develop the Super Stallion transport helicopter.

- The bill will authorized $850 million in development funds for the replacement of KC-46A tanker, an aircraft that will be powered by Pratt and Whitney engines and will recapitalize America's fleet of aerial refueling tankers.

- The bill will authorize $480 million for the procurement of nine C-27J Spartan aircraft. The "Flying Yankees" of the Connecticut National Guard's 103 Airlift Wing will soon receive Spartan aircraft, keeping a key flying mission in support of both military and homeland defense missions in the Connecticut for many more years to home.