Post by Logan on May 14, 2016 0:17:48 GMT -6
Bost suggests Congress could cut funding to thwart new NGA site in St. Louis
WASHINGTON • Illinois members of Congress continue to fight the location of a new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency complex in St. Louis, with Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, suggesting that Congress could refuse to appropriate money for it.
A Senate defense spending bill sets aside $801,000 toward acquiring land in north St. Louis, and $72 million to plan and design the $1.75 billion facility, which would replace the current, aging one in St. Louis.
But the House Appropriations Committee has tentatively zeroed out money for acquisition and cut the planning funds to $36 million, meaning that the Senate and House must negotiate final numbers on the project’s initial phases. That process could take months, and is likely to last beyond the June 2 date that NGA Director Robert Cardillo says he will announce a final decision on the NGA site.
Illinois members of Congress want the NGA to go against its initial recommendation and build the new facility near Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County. They have argued that the environmental assessment report backing the St. Louis site is flawed. They also say the facility would be safer and more integrated into national military and intelligence communications networks if located near the Illinois air base.
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bost-suggests-congress-could-cut-funding-to-thwart-new-nga/article_758e873a-374e-57ce-9126-655400c36c68.html
WASHINGTON • Illinois members of Congress continue to fight the location of a new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency complex in St. Louis, with Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, suggesting that Congress could refuse to appropriate money for it.
A Senate defense spending bill sets aside $801,000 toward acquiring land in north St. Louis, and $72 million to plan and design the $1.75 billion facility, which would replace the current, aging one in St. Louis.
But the House Appropriations Committee has tentatively zeroed out money for acquisition and cut the planning funds to $36 million, meaning that the Senate and House must negotiate final numbers on the project’s initial phases. That process could take months, and is likely to last beyond the June 2 date that NGA Director Robert Cardillo says he will announce a final decision on the NGA site.
Illinois members of Congress want the NGA to go against its initial recommendation and build the new facility near Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County. They have argued that the environmental assessment report backing the St. Louis site is flawed. They also say the facility would be safer and more integrated into national military and intelligence communications networks if located near the Illinois air base.
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bost-suggests-congress-could-cut-funding-to-thwart-new-nga/article_758e873a-374e-57ce-9126-655400c36c68.html