In the News

A Western Massachusetts air reserve base is poised to receive millions in federal funding to construct a regional ISO maintenance hangar under a $716 billion national defense bill compromise that cleared the U.S. House Thursday. 

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which now awaits Senate approval, includes funding for an array of Pentagon initiatives and priorities across the United States, including $42.6 million for construction at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.

If signed into law, the funding would be appropriated to the base for fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30. The funding is to be used for the costs of acquisition, architectural and engineering services and construction of guard and reserve force facilities. 

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat who voted in favor of the defense bill, said he "paid a great deal of attention to the interests of the First District of Massachusetts" when working to reconcile the House and Senate's versions of the NDAA in conference.

Pointing to the impact Westover Air Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard Base have on the economy in Western and Central Massachusetts, the congressman said it's vital that they have proper federal support to continue their work. 

Neal argued that the Fiscal Year 2019 NDAA "significantly benefits the First District in many tangible ways" -- most notably by authorizing the construction of the maintenance hangar at Westover Air Reserve Base. 

"I have advocated for this state-of-the-art facility throughout my tenure in Congress. It will replace the current 70-year-old hangar and better equip Westover to fulfill its mission now and into the future," he said in a statement. 

The Springfield Democrat added that the NDAA further authorizes a 2.6 percent pay raise for all military personnel, as well as establishes a prescription drug monitoring program to help combat opioid drug abuse inside the military.

"I am confident that this legislation will be valuable for our troops, their families and for all constituents in the First District in the coming years," he said.

In addition to authorizing $42.6 million for construction at Westover Air Reserve Base, the NDAA compromise includes: $105 million for construction at Hanscom Air Force Base's MIT-Lincoln Laboratory.

The White House praised House lawmakers Thursday for passing the NDAA conference report on a 359 to 54 vote and urged the Senate to follow suit. 

Officials noted that the legislation supports many of President Donald Trump's requests and "takes positive steps that are consistent with the administration's commitment to maintaining a strong and resilient manufacturing and defense industrial base."