President Obama on Friday signed a continuing resolution to keep the government open through April, shortly after Senate approval. The Senate approved the bill by 63-36 vote on Friday after Democratic senators, led by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), stopped delaying the bill over their concern related to health benefits for coal miners. The bill authorizes spending to maintain a number of key military programs, including KC-46 development and procurement of weapons needed in the fight against ISIS. The long-term resolution has been criticized by some, including Pentagon and Air Force leadership, for ham-stringing the department’s ability to operate for two-thirds of the fiscal year. The bill picked up some Republican opposition, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) who has said the bill would delay equipment for the military and limit operations in Afghanistan.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.