Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he was pleased a bill that contains key funding for Cannon Air Force Base has been signed into law.

Bingaman reported that the bill, which primarily funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, contains $364 million to purchase seven MC-130J model Combat Talon II, five of which will be headed to Cannon.  It also sets aside enough funding for five CV-22s for Cannon; each will cost in excess of $80 million.  And the measure contains $8 million for construction of a childcare facility, which is critically important to the quality of life for families at the base.

“This funding is vital to keeping Cannon Air Force Base in top-shape and is a great investment in our country’s defense installations,” Bingaman said.

Bingaman had urged his Democratic colleagues who serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support Cannon by including this funding.

Bingaman said the bill contains $400 million for the Merida Initiative, which is aimed at addressing drug-related violence and narcotics trafficking in Mexico.

“The Merida Initiative is an important step in working with Mexico to fight drug trafficking and reduce the level of violence that has plagued certain parts of the country,” Bingaman said.