Politics & Government

Doug Jones Opposes Proposed Cuts To Alabama Military Projects

Sen. Doug Jones said he opposes proposal to cut funding for Alabama military projects in order to pay for a wall on the southern border.

Doug Jones is opposing the delay of funds to military projects in Alabama.
Doug Jones is opposing the delay of funds to military projects in Alabama. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Doug Jones voiced his opposition this week for a proposal that would defer payments for military projects in Alabama in favor of funding a wall at the southern border. The border wall - one of Pres. Donald Trump's man campaign promises, has been met with controversy and opposition since Trump's election in 2016.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon sent a 20-page list to Congress naming military construction projects that are at risk of being cut or delayed in order to free up funding to pay for the wall. Several Alabama priorities were on the list, including $5.2 million for Anniston Army Depot to build a weapons maintenance shop, $38 million for a training support facility at Fort Rucker and two Maxwell Air Force Base projects: a $15.5 million Judge Advocate General (JAG) school expansion and an $18 million air traffic control tower.

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In a letter to Patrick Shanahan, Acting Secretary of the Department of Defense, Jones said that he will oppose any delay or cut to Alabama military projects in order to pay for the wall.

“I will be perfectly clear here: there are no circumstances under which it would be acceptable or appropriate,” Senator Jones wrote. “These projects are critical to the national security and to the state of Alabama, and I will oppose every attempt to delay or otherwise negatively impact them in any way.”

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