WASHINGTON, D.C.—Concerned by reports that funding for military construction projects at Luke Air Force Base may be diverted to fund a border wall, Reps. Ruben Gallego, Tom O’Halleran, Ann Kirkpatrick and Greg Stanton sent a letter seeking answers to Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.
The President’s national emergency declaration to build a border wall set in motion efforts that could divert funds from FY 2019 military construction projects.
That budget currently includes two critical projects at Luke AFB totaling $40 million, the F-35 A Squad Ops #6 and an Aircraft Maintenance Facility. The two projects were described as “crucial to the full expansion of the base’s F-35 program,” by the Arizona Republic. [Source] Construction on the projects was supposed to begin next month.
“Our dedicated military servicemembers at Luke AFB should not be forced to pay the price of this emergency declaration by having much needed military construction funds the administration requested and Congress approved diverted to activities completely unrelated to Luke AFB and its missions,” the letter reads.
The full text of the letter is available here.