Romney and Lee comment on emergency funding diversions impacting Utah

Statement

U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statements after the Air Force informed both senators that funding appropriated by Congress for military construction projects at Hill Air Force Base would instead be spent to construct a wall on the southern border, as a result of the February 2019 emergency declaration. Romney and Lee previously urged the Department of Defense to protect funding for these Utah projects.

"In April, Senator Lee and I expressed our significant concerns to the Secretary of Defense regarding the potential diversion of funds for critical military construction projects in Utah," Romney said. "I'm disappointed that despite those concerns, two key military construction projects totaling $54 million will be delayed as a result of the February 2019 emergency declaration. Funding the border wall is an important priority, and the Executive Branch should use the appropriate channels in Congress, rather than divert already appropriated funding away from military construction projects and therefore undermining military readiness. Congress will have an opportunity to restore this funding in the next budget cycle, and I plan to work with the delegation to fight for funding for these projects, which are essential to Utah's service members and our national security strategy."

"Congress has been ceding far too much powers to the executive branch for decades and it is far past time for Congress to restore the proper balance of power between the three branches," Lee said. "We should start that process by passing the ARTICLE ONE Act, which would correct the imbalances caused by the National Emergencies Act."

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