Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Monday, February 14, 2011

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman: President's Budget Demonstrates Strong Support for N.M. Air Force Bases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said President Obama's budget for fiscal year 2012 lends strong support to New Mexico's Air Force Bases.

Overall, the budget invests $215 million in construction initiatives that ensure our state has the facilities it needs to carry out its national security mission.

"President Obama's budget proposal makes critical investments in our state's military installations to keep them strong," Bingaman said.

Congress uses the president's budget proposal as a blueprint for writing the 13 spending bills that fund the government.  That process will get underway in the coming months.

The Obama plan for 2012 includes the following:

KIRTLAND AFB

• $25 million for Nuclear Weapons Center Sustainment Center

CANNON AFB

• $7.5 million Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plant
• $15 million for dormitory (96 rooms)
• $9.6 million for simulator facility
• $15 million for Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Facility
• $28 million for Apron and Taxiway
• $10.9 million for C-130 Squadron Operations Facility
• $10.8 million for C-130 Wash Rack Hangar
• $41 million for Hangar Aircraft Maintenance Unit
• $17 million Squadron Operations Facility

HOLLOMAN AFB

• $11.2 million Child Development Center
• $5.8 million for F-16 Academic Facility
• $4.2 million for F-16 Training Facility
• $8 million Parallel Taxiway

NEW MEXICO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

• $5.2 million to upgrade Readiness Center Santa Fe

Congress is still working to finalize a spending bill that funds the rest of the current fiscal year, 2011.  Bingaman is hoping it will contain funds the president requested for White Sands Missile Range: $29 million for barracks construction and $22.9 million for TRICARE Health and Dental Clinics.  However, leadership in the House of Representatives are planning to make deep cuts, therefore funding for those projects remains uncertain.