Today, Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) sent a letter to President Donald Trump to request prioritizing national security at both the border and with the two construction projects at Luke Air Force Base that are critical to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. The letter is available here and below.

February 22, 2019

The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

As a Congresswoman from the border state of Arizona, I offer my strong support for your actions to secure our southern border. I agree with you that current resources are simply not enough to address the human trafficking, drug smuggling, and unchecked illegal immigration taking over our border.

As you have so rightly stated before, we are currently facing a security and humanitarian crisis on our southern border that requires our immediate attention. This threat to our national security is a national emergency and we must act now.

As an advocate of our military, you have put us back on the path to success and military dominance in the world. Further, your continued support for the F-35 Strike Fighter Program and Luke Air Force Base in my home district has been instrumental and greatly appreciated. During your defense roundtable at Luke Air Force Base in October 2018, we discussed the importance of maintaining air superiority so that our nation may continue to ensure global security and stability. As you saw firsthand, the F-35 Lightning II offers unprecedented capability and supportability across the spectrum of military operations, giving us the power and ability to meet and win in the current landscape.

I encourage you to reserve the funding necessary for pending military construction projects at Luke Air Force Base to ensure the program’s continued success. At Luke Air Force Base, all F-35 military construction projects are complete with one exception--Ops 6 for a new F-35 squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. They are currently out for solicitation and will not be obligated until a contract is awarded. The projects are valued at $17 million and $23 million respectively, and the base expects to award the contracts in either June or July. The investments we have already made to this program are critical to the long-term stability of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program at Luke Air Force Base.

Your Administration and Congress have worked together to make strides in restoring previous, devastating cuts to our military. I know you will remain steadfast in your support of our Armed Forces, the F-35 Program, and Luke Air Force Base.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I stand ready to work to accomplish your critical endeavor in ending our nation’s border crisis.

Sincerely,

Debbie Lesko
Member of Congress