SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s U.S. senators say about $54 million in funding for two projects at Hill Air Force Base has been diverted to aid construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee have expressed concerns over the decision after the Air Force alerted them Wednesday.
Officials say the diversion affects $26 million for a Composite Aircraft Antenna Calibration Facility and $28 million from the Utah Test and Training Range Consolidated Mission Control Center.
Senators say the projects would maintain national defense readiness.
Officials say Congress could restore funding in the 2020 budget cycle.
Pentagon officials say about $3.6 billion from military projects would be redirected to build 175 miles (282 kilometers) of the southern border wall in response to President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration.
