Congress Passes Collins' NDAA Amendment to Save Taxpayer Dollars

Statement

Earlier today, Congress passed an amendment introduced by Representative Doug Collins (R-GA) to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 that would allow the administrative land transfer of 283.2 acres of land in Dahlonega, Georgia, known as Camp Frank D. Merrill, from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Army. The transfer would give the Army authority to remove unprotected access points to the facility, finally bringing the camp into compliance with Department of Defense standards required at all Army installations. In addition, the transfer would save millions of taxpayer dollars by removing the Forest Service's ability to review construction and maintenance projects at the camp. Collins, a Reservist in the United States military, offered the following statement after passage:

"Today was a win for the taxpayers of Georgia's Ninth District on multiple fronts," said Collins. "Not only did we find a way to increase protection for the brave soldiers serving our nation's interests at Camp Merrill, but we were also able to remove a layer of unnecessary government intervention and save millions of dollars in the DOD budget. Of the last nine maintenance projects at the camp, an additional $3 million has been added due to U.S. Forest Service bureaucracy. This this simply unacceptable when our Defense Department is pinching every penny it can to find savings, and our national debt is climbing closer and closer to $17 trillion.

"I've told my constituents from day one, my primary role as Northeast Georgia's voice in Washington is to be the biggest cheerleader and defender of the Ninth District. With our amendment today, I think we've accomplished that goal, and I'm thrilled to go home and talk more about this transition with the folks at Camp Merrill."

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