Magnolia State News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on June 22 supported committee passage of a funding measure that would direct more than $83 million for military construction projects at Columbus Air Force Base, Keesler Air Force Base, and Army and Air National Guard Bases. 

Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee that approved the FY2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, making the measure available for consideration by the full Senate.  The bill was passed unanimously, 28-0.

“The Senate Appropriations Committee has produced a MilCon-VA bill that will offer increased support to improve the operational efficiency of the military units in Mississippi,” Hyde-Smith said.  “I am pleased to help advance these projects for Mississippi’s active duty and reserve bases.  There are more steps needed before this bill becomes law and put to work to benefit our servicemembers, their families, and veterans.”

The Senate MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill recommends:

• $30 million to construct a T-7A Based Training System Facility at Columbus Air Force Base.
• $9.5 million to construct a T-7A Unit Maintenance Training Facility at Columbus Air Force Base.
• $4.6 million to construct a T-7A Egress Shop at Columbus Air Force Base.
• $4.85 million to construct a T-7A Hush House Pad at Columbus Air Force Base.
• $1.96 million to complete planning and design of an Air Traffic Control Tower at Keesler Air Force Base.
• $2.16 million to complete planning and design of the Army Aviation Support Facility 3 in Meridian.
• $22 million to complete the National Guard Readiness Center in Southaven. 
• $8 million to complete the Fire, Crash, and Rescue Station at Jackson International Airport.

Within funding for veterans’ program, the Senate bill increases funding for the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which operates facilities in Gulfport and Washington, D.C.  Overall, the bill would provide $296.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for FY2024.

In addition to the MilCon-VA measure, the Appropriations Committee on Thursday also approved the FY2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill with project funding for Mississippi.

The two appropriations bills comply with the statutory caps on discretionary funding established under the recently-enacted Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, the debt limit bill.  

Original source can be found here.