/ Modified oct 22, 2015 4:43 p.m.

McSally: Veto of Defense Bill Puts D-M's A-10s in Jeopardy

The funding bill rejected by Obama includes money for A-10 and EC-130 planes.

DM A-10 in Portugal spotlight A-10 from Davis-Monthan AFB lands at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal on the way to Europe. February 11, 2015.
U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf

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President Barack Obama Thursday vetoed a multi-billion dollar defense bill that has a direct connection to Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

The National Defense Authorization Act directs the Pentagon on how to spend its budget. Included in the bill is funding for the A-10 and EC-130 planes.

Those two craft account for the majority of the flight activity at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Officials at the base say the facility has a $1 billion a year impact on the local economy.

The Pentagon and President Barack Obama have tried to retire the A-10 for years but the bill prevents that move.

Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., sits on the committee that wrote the bill. After the veto she said the move was purely political.

“Without this bill the A-10 and the EC-130 protections are in danger for sure,” said McSally in a phone interview from the Capitol.

Sen. John McCain held a news conference deriding the President’s veto.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., called the veto “disappointing.”

The bill passed the House and Senate with wide, bi-partisan majorities. The veto was not brought on by the funding for the A-10.

The House is expected to try to override the veto in a vote next week.

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