Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh have said that a continuing resolution to extend current government funding would hamper acquisition programs at the military branch, Federal News Radio reported Wednesday.Jared Serbu writes many political observers believe the House and Senate are unlikely to work out a budget agreement before the start of fiscal 2016.
The station quoted James as saying the Air Force could not proceed with as many as 50 programs and bolster its end strength if Congress decides to pass a yearlong CR.
“We need to get the full-up appropriation and the full-up authorization passed at roughly the President’s budget level.†she added, according to the report.
Federal News Radio reports Welsh said that a CR would also affect the branch’s incremental efforts to build up an existing weapons portfolio.
“We do have quantity increases scheduled in 2016 and aircraft procurements, like the KC-46, the F-35, the C-130 multiyear program and a few other things,” he told the station.
“Those would go away under a year-long CR.”
