WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump cuts nearly $100 million in funding for Virginia’s military bases, his Republican allies in the General Assembly are staying silent, refusing to stand up for their constituents and condemn the devastating cuts.
“President Donald Trump’s reckless plan to cut funding for military construction will impact more projects in Virginia than any other state,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee press secretary Matt Harringer. “Virginians will lose millions of dollars in economic development and good-paying jobs.”
“Every Virginian, regardless of party, should stand up for the Commonwealth’s military bases and service members — but Republicans are putting politics before the people they represent,” Harringer said. “Each and every Republican candidate should be asked why they are refusing to stand up for Virginia’s bases.”
Trump’s February emergency declaration cuts $3.6 billion in funding for military construction, including nearly $100 million in Virginia.
That funding would be taken from projects that Congress has already approved, including construction to improve security at the Pentagon and a cyber operations facility at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
“Joint Base Langley-Eustis could lose $10 million — but the community’s Republicans, Robert Bloxom, Bill DeSteph and Glenn Davis, refuse to stand up for the base in their own backyard,” Harringer said. “What’s more important to them: defending the president or defending Virginia’s military bases?”
Nearly two dozen Democratic General Assembly candidates are veterans who are using their experience in the military to connect with voters and stand up for Virginia’s military bases.
“These cuts will hurt our bases, our military families and Virginia’s economy,” said Democratic candidate Dan Helmer, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and South Korea. “When we win control of the General Assembly, Democrats will always stand up for our service members and fight to protect our bases. Tim Hugo and his Republican colleagues’ silence is devastating for the commonwealth.”
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