WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts applauded action today by the Administration urging the Congress to restore $3.1 billion in funding for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) construction projects, including $375 million critical to Kansas’ military installations.

Roberts called on Congress to include the president’s request as part of the upcoming emergency supplemental funding bill – but cautioned that even the supplemental bill could fall victim to partisan debate over the war. "We might be able to restore the funding in the supplemental, but can Congress pass a supplemental? That is a key and troubling question."

At issue is the fact that Kansas’ military installations are receiving the third largest increase in troop strength in the nation as part of the military’s transformation, known as BRAC. As a result, Ft. Leavenworth and Ft. Riley have many new construction needs in order to accommodate troops, missions and overall base operations. Earlier this year, the House cut $3.1 billion from the BRAC funds as part of legislation to fund the government, which put $375 million designated for Kansas in jeopardy.

Senator Roberts made the following statement:

"The Commander-in-Chief has requested the Congress to restore carefully considered BRAC funding. The entire nation watched as the BRAC Commission deliberated which bases to close, which to keep open and which to expand. As a result of this thorough and lengthy process, our military is making a major realignment involving hundreds of thousands of troops and dozens of communities in all 50 states.

"Kansas, with a bipartisan team effort, was successful in protecting Ft. Riley, McConnell Air Force Base, Ft. Leavenworth and Forbes Air Field as vital to our national security. Unfortunately, earlier this year, the new House majority passed a continuing resolution that cut $3.1 billion in funds for the projects related to BRAC.

"The President is making a clear statement to the country and the Congress about the need for full funding, however, I am concerned the House Leadership may allow this important funding to become mired in a partisan debate about the war or deadlines for troop withdrawal. These are important debates we should have, but as controversial as they are, they could endanger the supplemental bill with our BRAC funding, denying funding for our troops to enable them to fulfill their missions.

Senator Roberts, a former Marine, was a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services during the BRAC consideration process and made it his highest priority to ensure Kansas military installations continue to serve a vital role in the national security of the United States. He is an outspoken advocate for men and women in uniform and their families.