ARKANSAS, USA — The U.S. Senate approved Senator John Boozman's (R-AR) legislation package on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to use $83 million for a pilot training center for military personnel in Fort Smith.
“Investments in military infrastructure are critical to protecting our national security," Boozman said. "This legislation enhances Arkansas’ defense capabilities and continues our commitment to ensure Ebbing Air National Guard Base has the resources to support the needs of allied pilots who will soon be training here."
The bill also funds Veterans Affairs programs.
"I’m proud to improve health care and services for veterans so we can live up to our obligation to care for the men and women who served in our nation’s uniform,” Boozman said.
The package included Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills as well.
Of these appropriation bills, a few benefit Arkansans:
- Transportation Infrastructure
- $67 million will go toward construction on I-49 near Fort Smith.
- $11.5 million will increase freight rail capacity at the Port of Little Rock.
- $4 million will go toward building a covered canopy at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.
- $2.5 million will be put into upgraded traffic infrastructure to improve security access at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
- Natural State-based Agriculture Research
- $77.4 million will be used for the Food and Drug Administration’s research promoting and protecting public health conducted at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson.
- $1.08 billion will support agricultural research conducted and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- $110 million will be used for human nutrition research to support healthy child development.
Rural Development and Public Safety
- $1 million will go toward the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Arkansas Digital Interventions for Care and Education telemedicine mental health program.
- $1.5 million will be used for a Fire and Public Safety Center in Wilson.
The Senate and the House of Representatives must agree to the language of the legislation package. Once they reach an agreement, each chamber must approve the bills. Then, the president can sign them into law.
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