Watertown Daily Times - I Will Fight for Fort Drum

Op-Ed

By Elise Stefanik

Amidst the looming threat of potential cuts to our nation's Department of Defense, our next member of Congress will face the extraordinary responsibility of fighting for the future of Fort Drum, home of the U.S. Army's historic 10th Mountain Division. As a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from our district, I am deeply concerned with the newest report on projected military cuts to Fort Drum.

Our country certainly faces economic and fiscal difficulties, but ensuring our men and women in uniform have the resources they've earned through selfless and courageous service to protect our country is paramount. The budget shortfalls of Congress shouldn't be balanced on the backs of our bravest men and women and their families.

And if elected, I will actively oppose devastating defense cuts, fighting every day on behalf of servicemen and -women, defense employees, military families and veterans in the 21st District. This includes advocating for much-needed health care services for mental and physical injuries suffered in war, earned retirement benefits, job training and work force development services and, at a very basic level, job security.

As residents of the north country understand, the economic impact of Fort Drum is unparalleled. Fort Drum is not only the largest single-site employer in the 21st Congressional District but also in New York state. The largest-single economic driver in the north country, Fort Drum's economic impact in 2013 alone surpassed $1.4 billion, according to the Economic Impact Statement released earlier this year with an overall economic impact of more than $19 billion since 1988.

Last month, the U.S. Army released the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment study that warns of potential defense cuts under a worst-case scenario of 16,000 soldier and civilian positions on post by 2020, which would devastate the local economy and lead to an overall loss of $1.6 billion. As President Obama continues to gut our nation's defense by decreasing our active duty ranks from 520,000 to 420,000, it is imperative that we protect Fort Drum.

I am the only candidate running to represent the 21st District who has a proven record of fighting against these devastating defense cuts resulting from the sequester. In 2012, I helped to launch Defending Defense, a coalition of think tanks that was one of the earliest voices fighting back against the across-the-board defense cuts known as the sequester. If elected, I will bring this same strong commitment to protecting our nation's defense and Fort Drum to the congressional office.

My vision for fighting for Fort Drum includes these commitments:

1. Like former congressmen representing the north country in Washington, I will fight to be assigned to the House Armed Services Committee to ensure Fort Drum has a seat at the table for every discussion regarding our nation's military.

2. I will hire a full-time senior military adviser in the congressional office, who will specifically focus on Fort Drum-related issues.

3. I will work on a bipartisan basis with the entire New York delegation in Washington to protect Fort Drum. Despite the partisan gridlock in Washington, Fort Drum is an issue that is critically important to not only the northern region of New York but to the entire state. I hope to partner with outspoken advocates Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to fight for Fort Drum.

4. I will fight to ensure that Congress understands the unique strengths of the 10th Mountain Division light infantry unit as the future model for our nation's military to face the global challenges of the 21st century.

5. As the U.S. Missile Defense Agency continues to discuss the possibility of an East Coast missile interceptor base, I will fight to ensure that Fort Drum is a leading contender for the East Coast missile defense site. This would bolster our local economy and ensure that the military post continues to grow.

If elected this November, I am committed to serving as a representative who will be a strong advocate for not only protecting but also strengthening Fort Drum in the future, which will allow us to protect our national security and grow our economy in the north country.

Elise M. Stefanik is the Republican and Conservative nominee for New York's 21st Congressional District. She lives in Willsboro.

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