Wisconsin Republicans set to support F-35s in Madison

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Senate are preparing to vote on a resolution supporting a plan to bring F-35 fighter jets to an Air National Guard base in Madison.

Truax Field is one of five sites under consideration for housing two squadrons of F-35s. An environmental-impact statement says noise from the jets could render more than 1,000 homes uninhabitable, stirring up stiff opposition from local residents. Democratic lawmakers from the Madison area have been pushing back against housing the jets.

The Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a resolution supporting the plan to bring F-35s to Madison. The resolution declares the F-35s would ensure Truax Field’s future.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald wrote the resolution. Fitzgerald is a retired U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and is running for Congress in a district that includes Milwaukee suburbs.