Tinker Air Base projects up in air while Congress leaves town

Members of Congress have left Washington, D.C. on a two-week break without taking action on storm repairs to Air Force Bases, thereby endangering construction projects at Oklahoma’s Tinker Air Force Base.

The Air Force indicated in March it needed $5 billion dollars over three years to repair flood and storm damage to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

Senate Democrats and Republicans continue to be at odds over the funding as OK Energy Today reported in March.

At the time, the Air Force warned 61 projects in 18 states were in jeopardy over the lack of emergency funding. Four projects at Tinker Air Force base were on the list.

Congress returns to the capitol in two weeks and the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees are expected to begin work on spending legislation.

Congress also got out of town without confirming Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters and Army Gen. Stephen Townsend. Wolters was nominated to lead the U.S. European Command—Townsend the Africa Command.