Michigan Senate Unanimously Approves $152M for Selfridge Air Base Repairs
Michigan lawmakers unanimously fast-tracked $152 million for Selfridge air base runway repairs, unlocking nearly $800 million in federal funding for new fighter jets.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — The Michigan Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved $152 million in supplemental funding to repair runways at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Macomb County, fast-tracking the project to meet federal requirements before the 2028 elections.
The Senate cast a 34-0 vote to send House Bill 4572 to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk after discharging it from the Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation addresses essential runway repairs needed before a new fighter mission can be activated at the base.
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) had proposed the aggressive timeline to ensure repairs are completed before President Donald Trump leaves office following the 2028 elections. Hall’s Republican-controlled House passed the supplemental funding in April, but it had remained stalled in the Democratic-led Senate until Wednesday’s action.
Federal Commitment Secured
The state funding will unlock a significant federal investment in the facility. According to The Detroit News, the U.S. Air Force has committed $792 million in federal money to assist with the project and prepare the base for F-15EX fighter jets and KC-46 tanker aircraft if the state legislation is signed.
The runway repairs became a major obstacle in activating the new fighter mission that Hall, Whitmer and Trump negotiated for the air base. The deteriorating condition of the runways threatened to delay the timeline for bringing the enhanced military capabilities to Michigan.
Governor Expected to Sign
Whitmer plans to sign the bill before June 1, according to the report. She praised the bipartisan effort in a statement following the Senate vote.
“Today’s funding is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” Whitmer said. “Since securing a new F15-EX fighter mission last year, I’ve been working closely with our federal partners and Congressional delegation to prepare Selfridge with upgrades to runways and taxiways.”
The governor noted that state funding was necessary to move the project forward and secure the federal investment. The combined state and federal commitment represents nearly $950 million in infrastructure improvements for the Macomb County facility.
Strategic Military Enhancement
The Selfridge Air National Guard base renovation is part of a broader strategy to enhance Michigan’s military capabilities and economic impact. The facility will house advanced F-15EX Eagle II aircraft and KC-46 tanker aircraft once the runway improvements are completed.
The unanimous Senate vote demonstrates rare bipartisan agreement on a major infrastructure project. Republicans and Democrats united behind the funding package despite broader political divisions on other state budget priorities.
The expedited timeline reflects the urgency of meeting federal requirements and capitalizing on the negotiated fighter mission agreement. Construction work will need to begin quickly to meet the ambitious completion deadline before the current presidential term ends.
