The $659 billion Defense Spending bill approved the House included some issues supported by Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine.
H.R. 3219, called the Make America Secure Appropriations Act not only funds national defense but what Bridenstine said were important U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects.
The measure will require the Corps to do studies which are considered the first step in infrastructure renovation projects on at least five projects where the benefits are related to flood and storm damage reduction.
“This means the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System, which is a national security issue due to its age and the energy infrastructure sited behind the levees could qualify for one of these studies,” said Rep. Bridenstine. “The levees also protect many homes.”
He also managed to incorporate a commercial weather data pilot program into the defense spending bill. It will continue funding for a program to allow the Defense Department to procure and evaluate data from commercial weather satellite companies.
“This has the potential to bring about a paradigm shift in how the DoD acquires weather data, reducing costs and improving information.”