1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

I am writing as a 10-year active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force to express my strong opposition to the Department of Defense’s decision to reallocate $200 million from military construction projects to build a 20-mile border wall at the Barry M. Goldwater Range. This money was meant for essential projects that directly support service members and their families. These include a medical clinic in Washington, a school in Germany, a barracks in Japan, and a training facility in Mississippi. Losing these projects will harm readiness, morale, and quality of life. Replacing a 12-foot mesh barrier with a 30-foot wall at a remote training range does not justify pulling funds from these priorities. The Pentagon is using emergency authority under U.S. Code §2803 to do this, which allows bypassing the normal budget process. This authority was designed for urgent military needs. A fence upgrade at a training range does not meet that standard. I live and work on base every day. Our facilities already struggle to meet basic needs. Cutting funds from health care and housing to build a wall sends the wrong message to those of us who serve. I urge you to speak out against this decision. Please press the Department to restore funding to the original projects. I also ask you to consider limits on the use of emergency construction authority when it is not related to the safety or mission of our forces. Thank you for supporting the men and women of the military. I hope you will help ensure that our needs are not overlooked.