Frank Kendall Says Lack of Budget Will Delay Air Force Programs

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker and 2023 Wash100 winner, said his organization’s programs will stall if Congress fails to pass a budget for fiscal year 2024.

Congress is working to extend funding for some agencies until early 2024 to prevent a government shutdown when a continuing resolution ends on Nov. 17, SpaceNews reported.

Speaking at a Center for a New American Security event on Monday, Kendall explained that many Department of the Air Force programs require congressional authorization. DAF is planning to spend on hypersonic weapons, satellite networks and other technology priorities.

Kendall noted that time spent waiting for a budget provides an advantage to China. He stressed that the United States and China are engaged in a “race for technological military superiority.”

Explaining why the military services have had difficulties adapting to funding issues, Kendall said new programs cannot begin under CRs and that spending money without congressional approval is illegal. CRs also only allow the government to spend at the previous year’s levels, he added.