Defense Funding Bill with Money for Construction Projects Wins Big Passage in US House

By a large 355 to 78 vote, members of the U.S. House have approved a new defense spending bill that includes $8.5 billion for military construction.

The $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act also includes $70 million for local schools educating military children, as well as special and hazard pay for soldiers on dangerous assignments.

The measure is now on its way to the Senate.

While agreeing with the renewed expenditures for military construction projects, President Trump has said he will consider vetoing the legislation for a number of reasons, one of which is a provision calling for the renaming of military bases honoring Confederate generals.

Should the President carry out his veto threat, Congressional members will almost certainly vote to override that veto, but would have to do that before the end of the current session on January 3.

The fiscal 2021 measure is one of the most extensive of its kind in recent years. The largest portion of funding at $635 billion will go for base spending.

Base construction projects in line for that funding include everything from new aircraft hangars, warehouses, information centers, air traffic control towers, and new barracks.
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Last year the Trump Administration diverted more than $3.6 billion in funds previously approved by Congress for base construction projects to the continued construction of the U.S./Mexico border wall.

By Garry Boulard

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