WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Department of Defense announced its plan for redirecting unobligated border wall funds away from the previous administration’s border wall back where these funds belong.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a significant corrective action that will prioritize our service members and their families, who rely on military construction projects, as well as our partners and allies. The previous administration’s pursuit of a political campaign promise – the border wall – robbed military construction accounts of billions in much-needed funding. Today, the Deputy Secretary of Defense laid out a plan that will restore $2.2 billion in funding for 66 projects across 11 States, three territories, and 16 countries. This includes plans to expand the missile interceptor field at Fort Greely in Alaska, renovations to an elementary school for military children in Germany and a new training complex for the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

“A wall on our southern border does nothing to address our primary national security challenges. I am encouraged that the Department is redirecting the available, unobligated funds to support our service members, their families, and our partners and allies who will be critical in our efforts to address our pressing national security threats.”

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