Senator Marsha Blackburn, along with Senator Hagerty, voted against the Omnibus Bill which appropriated funds for the NDAA or the National Defense Authorization Act.

In the recent article in this newspaper titled “Passing of the NDAA helps promote innovation,” Senator Blackburn takes credit for funding that will support numerous efforts within and around Arnold Air Force Base.

The problem is that the NDAA was funded as a result of the passing of the Omnibus Bill in which she and Senator Haggerty voted against. A funding bill means nothing unless funds are appropriated; apparently both Senator Blackburn and Senator Hagerty did not want the NDAA funded. US Representatives Scott Desjarlais and John Rose also voted against the Omnibus.

Therefore, the people in this region that will have jobs as a result of the NDAA should not thank either of our two Senators nor either of our two US Representatives for funding Arnold Air Force Base efforts; but rather all the Democrat US Senators, Democrat US Representatives and a few Republican Senators – not from Tennessee, who voted for the Omnibus Bill.

Van Ayers

Shelbyville