The Department of Defense (DoD) recently released a list of military construction projects whose funds could be diverted to help build President Trump’s border wall as a result of his national emergency declaration. This includes $76.7 million worth of urgently needed funds for Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) in San Antonio. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a strong supporter of military installations, will fight President Trump’s efforts to cut essential funding for military construction projects in San Antonio and across Texas. 

“These projects are critical to the security of our nation and the well-being of our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Congressman Cuellar. “After failing to convince the Government of Mexico or U.S. Congress to pay for his ineffective wall, the President is trying to bypass constitutional authority and undermine the training, readiness, and quality of life of our military and their families in Texas.”

“At JBSA, this would potentially redirect $76.7 million dollars in essential funding. As Military City USA, we must continue supporting the essential role that military installations like JBSA play in our national security. I stand strong against any action that could take funds from DoD projects in cities across Texas to be used for the President’s ineffective wall.”

The President’s emergency declaration undermines the training, readiness and quality of life of our military and their families by potentially targeting the following high-priority construction initiatives in Texas, totaling over $265 million: 

• Joint Base San Antonio:
• Air Force – Basic Military Training Classrooms/Dining Facility - $38 million
• Air Force – Air Traffic Control Tower - $10 million

• Air Force – Camp Bullis Dining Facility - $18.5 million
• Defense-Wide – Energy Aerospace Operations Facility - $10.2 million
• Army – Camp Bullis Vehicle Maintenance Shop - $13.6 million  

• Fort Bliss:
• Army – Supply Support Activity - $24 million
• Army – Defense Access Roads - $20 million
• Defense-Wide – Blood Processing Center - $8.3 million 
  

• Fort Hood:
• Army – Vehicle Maintenance Shop - $33 million
• Army – Supply Support Activity - $9.6 million 
  

• Red River:
• Defense-Wide – Army Depot General Purpose Warehouse - $71.5 million
  

• Galveston:
• Naval Reserve – Reserve Center Annex - $8.4 million  

Texas Total = $265.1 million

Total JBSA (not including military housing, barracks, or dormitory projects) = $76.7 million

The document released by the DoD makes clear that no military housing, barracks, or dormitory projects will be impacted, which means that a basic military training recruit dormitory project at JBSA, totaling $92.3 million, will not be targeted.