Senate Republican appropriators included $2 billion in a proposed disaster aid package for the military to rebuild from severe hurricane damage last fall. The overall relief package for $13.45 billion is in limbo after President Trump questioned the funding it includes for Puerto Rico, according to Politico.
The aid package released Tuesday by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) includes a total $1.1 billion to the Air Force with $400 million for Hurricane Michael damage at Tyndall Air Force, Fla., in October. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune, N.C., would see $315 million for Hurricane Florence damage, according to a Defense News report.
The Pentagon has requested $9 billion for recent storm damage, as reported by On Base.
The Air Force said Wednesday that almost $5 billion will be needed to rebuild Tyndall and recover from flooding damage to Offut Air Force Base, Neb., according to Defense News.
Shelby’s proposal does not appear to address Offutt damages.
The Air Force warned if it doesn’t receive $1.2 billion by June, it will reduce projects and pilot training hours at Tyndall and Offutt.
“We desperately need the supplemental funding to recover from the natural disasters that hammered Tyndall and Offutt,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said at a Heritage Foundation event. “There are other decisions we’ll have to make if we don’t [have supplemental funding] by May or June.”
Air Force photo of Tyndall Air Force Base by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes
Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding
When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...
