Moving one step closer to becoming law, a provision inserted to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Defense Appropriations bill at the request of U.S. Sen. Mark Begich to halt the relocation of the F16s from Eielson Air Force Base on Thursday passed out of the Senate Appropriations committee.

The overall bill boasts efficiencies and savings of more than $8 billion compared to FY 2013 and will now be considered before the full U.S. Senate.

“The Air Force needed to do their homework on their proposal to move the F16s and they didn’t. This is why I specifically requested language to halt their flawed proposal,” said Begich. “I’m pleased my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee agree that moving the F16s makes no sense and have voted to move the bill before the full Senate, where it will be one step closer to becoming law.”

Sen. Begich specifically requested the measure in a letter to Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS) to outline the drawbacks and incomplete analysis surrounding the proposal to move F16s from Eielson.

“This is an issue of national security. As we make a push towards the Pacific, Eielson is in a unique position to be a key asset to the U.S. – we should be strengthening its military operations, not reducing them.”

Consistent with his previous efforts to cut spending and reduce the deficit, Sen. Begich also supported provisions to reduce Pentagon waste while strengthening our national security. Sen. Begich introduced an amendment to strike funding for Mi17 helicopters which are made by a Russian arms export company, Rosoboronexport, which is also supplying arms to the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

Sen. Begich recently joined Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in opposing the purchase of 30 Mi17 helicopters, stating that American taxpayer dollars should not be used to support Russian state-owned corporations complicit in the murder of thousands of innocent Syrian, men, women and children.

Other measures important to Alaska introduced at Sen. Begich’s request include efforts to:

Reject Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in 2015 – strikes $8 million in funding associated with the proposed 2015 Base Realignment and Closure round which has not been authorized.

Reduce Afghanistan Assistance – reduces available assistance for the Government of Afghanistan by $5 for every $1 that the Government of Afghanistan imposes in taxes, duties, penalties, or other fees on the transport of property of the US Government entering or leaving Afghanistan. Also prohibits any funds from being given to members of the Afghan Government for personal use.

Rejects TTRICARE Fee Increases – $297 million increase for TRICARE to ensure service members aren’t paying more.

Raises Pay for Members of the Armed Forces – 1% pay raise for members of the Armed Forces.

Limit National Security Agency (NSA) Secret Surveillance Programs – prohibits funds from being used to collect tangible things in bulk pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 unless decisions made by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts are declassified or summaries provided.

Engage on Arctic Issues – includes a committee initiative urging the Secretary of Defense to continue to examine ways the Department can support engagement on Arctic issues.

Support for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Test Ranges – expresses support for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ongoing program to establish test sites for civilian unmanned aircraft systems to bolster. Alaska is currently being considered as a test site.

Increase Arctic Security – requires a report on current and future programs related to Arctic security solutions and provide an analysis of procurement and costs related to both fixed and mobile Arctic basing options.

Provides Resources for Combat Training Ranges – provides an additional $10 Million for a total of $20.431 Million for Air Force Training Range Improvements. Enhance JPARC capabilities.

Provides Resources to Alaska National Guard for Arctic Sustainment Package – provides $1 Billion for Reserve Component procurement of equipment with direction to spend money on Arctic Sustainment Packages for the Alaska National Guard.