Press Releases
Warner & Kaine Slam Trump Plan to Raid Virginia Military Construction Projects to Build Border Wall
Sep 04 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine condemned the Trump Administration’s plans to build portions of President Trump’s border wall by diverting $3.6 billion in military construction funds, including by taking funding from four projects in Virginia:
“The decision by the President to divert funding meant to support U.S. national security interests so that he can build a border wall only makes us less safe,” said Warner. “Taking money away from our military – including funding to support critical projects here in Virginia – will mean we are less equipped to tackle threats here at home and abroad.”
“I’m deeply concerned about President Trump’s plan to pull funding from critical national security projects – including millions of dollars from important projects in Virginia – so he can build his border wall. The well-being of American troops is the core responsibility of every commander in the military, yet the Commander-in-Chief is shirking that duty so he can advance his own political agenda,” said Kaine.
The Department of Defense informed Warner and Kaine that the Trump Administration plans to take the following funding away from military construction projects in Virginia:
- Cyber Operations Facility at Joint Base Langley-Eustis will lose $10,000,000.
- Navy Ships Maintenance Facility in Portsmouth will lose $26,120,000.
- A project to replace a hazardous materials warehouse in Norfolk will lose $18,500,000.
- A project to replace a hazardous materials warehouse in Portsmouth will lose $22,500,000.
Warner and Kaine have been outspoken against President Trump’s plan to pull money from military construction projects to build his border wall since it was initially announced earlier this year. Kaine has demanded details on the projects that will lose funding and called on his colleagues in the Senate to oppose the Administration’s efforts.
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