WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris administration announced that the Department of Defense will halt all projects related to the previous administration’s diversion of Department funds for the border wall, returning all unobligated military construction funds to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies.
“The previous flawed attempt to divert Department of Defense funds for the border wall was an unmitigated disaster that robbed billions of needed dollars from the Department, dollars that supported schools for military children, facilities important to military training and readiness, overseas construction in partner countries, and national guard and reserve equipment accounts.
“By returning the unobligated funds to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies, President Biden is prioritizing our service members and military families, who rely on the military construction projects that were gutted to fund the wall. The Biden-Harris administration is restoring normal order under the federal government’s authorities, after the previous administration abused them under the guise of a national emergency.
“I look forward to working with the Department to fully understand what harm has been done to our existing military construction projects and what can be done to mitigate that harm moving forward.”
“The previous flawed attempt to divert Department of Defense funds for the border wall was an unmitigated disaster that robbed billions of needed dollars from the Department, dollars that supported schools for military children, facilities important to military training and readiness, overseas construction in partner countries, and national guard and reserve equipment accounts.
“By returning the unobligated funds to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies, President Biden is prioritizing our service members and military families, who rely on the military construction projects that were gutted to fund the wall. The Biden-Harris administration is restoring normal order under the federal government’s authorities, after the previous administration abused them under the guise of a national emergency.
“I look forward to working with the Department to fully understand what harm has been done to our existing military construction projects and what can be done to mitigate that harm moving forward.”
###