McMahon to ADC: Border Wall a Priority, Won’t Cancel Milcon Projects

March 4, 2019

The Pentagon’s top priorities are to maintain resilient installations and ensure that service members have safe places to “live, work, play and pray,” Robert McMahon, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, told more than 650 attendees Monday in Miami during day one of Installation Innovation Forum, hosted by the Association of Defense Communities.
McMahon said that if even one percent of military housing units are in poor condition, it means the department hasn’t done its job. He outlined steps the services are taking to improve privatized housing, including inspections of every unit and creating a “bill of rights” for tenants. (Leaders from each service are set to testify on Capitol Hill Wednesday about the issue.)
He also addressed concerns that military construction projects will be put on hold to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, where President Trump has declared a national emergency.
No milcon projects will be canceled – especially if Congress re-appropriates the funding for them – but wall construction is an administration priority, McMahon said.
“My responsibility is to execute the order of the commander-in-chief,” he said.

March 4, 2019

Recent News

Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding

Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding

When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill this week to make it easier for military spouses to start work with a license from another state, according to a press release. “Our veterans and military families have dedicated their lives and undergo great sacrifice in...

Snap of the Week

Snap of the Week

Airmen and Family Readiness at the 121st Air Refueling Wing invited airmen to bring their children to work at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, April 25. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ivy Thomas

Ukraine Aid on the Way, Biden and Gen. Brown Say

Ukraine Aid on the Way, Biden and Gen. Brown Say

President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion package Wednesday morning that provides aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. After a long delay, the House passed the package Saturday, and the Senate followed Tuesday. “It’s a good day for America, it’s a good day for Europe,...

PAST STORIES