Bingaman: Key Military Spending Bill Signed Into Law

Press Release

Bingaman: Key Military Spending Bill Signed Into Law

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today reported that President Bush signed into law a spending bill that funds multiple federal agencies, including funding for the state's military installations and a key New Mexico National Guard program that protects the New Mexico border region.

The measure, called the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, includes many initiatives for which Bingaman sought funding, including $3.2 million for the New Mexico National Guard so it can continue to fund counter-drug efforts in the border region and enhance border security. Bingaman has already secured $8.15 million for this program.

"This bill is good for our state is many ways. It lends strong support to our Air Force Bases and White Sands Missile Range, while setting aside funding for other key initiatives such as helping secure our border," Bingaman said. "This is a good bill for our state."

The bill signed today is known as a continuing resolution, or a CR. Congress has passed CRs in years it has not approved individual spending bills before a fiscal year has begun; a new fiscal year begins at midnight, but Congress has not passed appropriations bills. The CR signed today funds the military and military construction budgets for the entire fiscal year and most of the remaining federal departments until March.

The bill contains funding for New Mexico's military installations.

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