Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) criticized President Trump’s national emergency declaration, which could potentially re-direct $3.6 billion, including nearly $520 million worth of urgently needed Department of Defense (DoD) military construction funds intended for military bases in Texas. This includes millions from Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) construction projects critical to the security of our nation and the well-being of our men and women in uniform and their families.
“The President is declaring an emergency over a crisis that doesn’t exist – even going so far to say today that he ‘didn’t need to do this,” said Congressman Cuellar. “After failing to convince the Government of Mexico or the U.S. Congress to pay for his ineffective wall, the President is trying to bypass constitutional authority with his ‘emergency’ declaration. He is taking duly appropriated funding intended for the military, law enforcement, and many other priority areas in order to follow through on his campaign promise.”
The President’s emergency declaration undermines the training, readiness,
Joint Base San Antonio:
- Air Force – Basic Military Training Recruit Dormitory Construction- $90.3 million
- Air Force – Basic Military Training Classrooms/Dining Facility Construction- $38 million
- Air Force – Basic Military Training Dormitory 6 – $25 million
- Defense-wide – Energy Aerospace Operations Facility – $10.2 million
Fort Bliss:
- Air Force – Hospital Replacement- $251.3 million
- Army – Supply Support Activity – $24 million
Fort Hood:
- Army – Supply Support Activity – $9.6 million
Red River:
- Defense-wide – Army Depot General Purpose Warehouse – $71.5 million
Total = ~$520 million
“Texans deserve leaders who will respect the Constitution and fight to defend our national security,” Cuellar continued. “I join House Democrats in following through on our constitutional duty to protect our system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and any violation of Congress’ constitutional authority. As an Appropriator, I will stand strong against any action that could take essential funds from DoD projects and be used for the President’s ineffective wall. Instead, we must continue to support critical military construction projects in San Antonio, Texas, and throughout the nation.”
To see a list of DoD projects nationwide whose funding could be affected, please see the attached spreadsheet.
