June 24th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Homeland Security spending bill includes her request for $44.4 million to continue the manufacture of Multirole Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) used to protect our borders by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Air and Marine Program. Funding will allow for the acquisition of two additional aircraft and will support hundreds of jobs in Western Maryland. The bill was ordered reported by the Full Committee.
“This bill is a jobs bill that will help us keep America strong,” Senator Mikulski said. “These funds in the federal checkbook will allow for the continued production of aircraft necessary to keep our borders safe, as well as protect hundreds of Maryland jobs. By supporting Maryland manufacturers on the factory floor and the assembly line, we are promoting economic security while giving those on our front lines the tools they need to protect our national security.”
The MEA Program is part of CBP’s aviation modernization plan to replace, upgrade and standardize their 30-year-old fleet. These planes allow CBP officers on the ground to know where illegal activity is happening and help them cover a broader area with fewer resources.
Without funding for FY 2016, production in Hagerstown would be forced to shut down, essentially terminating the program or causing delays and additional delays to restart it.
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