Rare Perspective

Westover Air Reserve Base as seen from a Massachusetts State Police helicopter during this years Great New England Air Show and open house in August 2012. The base ellipse looks like a compass from above with the Base Hangar at the east end and the flag at the west end. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA. Kelly Galloway)

Why does Westover remain under a continuing resolution

Published Jan. 30, 2013
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- To understand the defense spending fiscal "dance" that happens in Congress each year around this time, it's important to recognize the difference between authorization and appropriation.

Authorizations, such as the National Defense Authorization Act, allow a program or agency to exist and recommend funding levels for that organization. In this case, the 2013 NDAA established $633 billion as the funding limit for the DOD for 2013.

Appropriations, like the Defense Appropriation Bill, allow federal agencies to actually incur obligations and make payments from the U.S. Treasury for a specified purpose. In other words, a 2013 DAB would give the DOD the money it needs to operate, based on what is outlined in the NDAA.

In the absence of a DAB, Congress passes a continuing resolution authority to allow the DOD to pay its bills. Since there isn't a DAB for 2013 yet, Westover remains under a continuing resolution.

Rare Perspective

Autumn