Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles: Background and Issues for Congress

Congress has played a central role in the MRAP program by suggesting to defense and service officials that MRAPs would provide far superior protection for troops than did the up-armored High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles HMMWVs. Congressional support for MRAPs, as well as fully funding the program, has been credited with getting these vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan in a relatively short time frame, thereby helping to reduce casualties. Congress will likely continue to be interested in the MRAP program to ensure that the appropriate types and numbers of these vehicles are fielded, as well as to monitor the post-conflict disposition of these vehicles, as they represent a significant investment. Through FY2010, Congress appropriated 34.95 billion for all versions of the MRAP. In March 2010, DoD reprogrammed an additional 3.9 billion from the Overseas Contingency Operations fund to MRAP procurement. Congress approved an additional 1.2 billion for MRAP procurement, included in the FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act P.L. 111-212. The full FY2011 DoD budget request of 3.4 billion for the MRAP Vehicle Fund has been authorized by the House H.R. 5136. The Senate Armed Services Committee has recommended approval of DoDs request, though floor action has not yet occurred. The DoD budget request remains under consideration by both House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Among potential issues for congressional consideration are the status of almost 5,000 MRAPS in Afghanistan that are reportedly not being used because of their size and weight possible redundancies with the MRAP, M-ATV, and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle programs and actual Marine M-ATV requirements.