WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Defense notified Congress of the transfer of funds from U.S. National Guard Equipment and F-35 production to pay for the president’s border wall. Specifically, the Trump administration is transferring $3.8 billion into the ‘Drug Interdiction and Counter Drug Activities’ account that will allow the administration to “construct additional barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border.”

“The shortsightedness of this administration is dumbfounding. President Trump just stole money from national security priorities that keep our country safe and National Guard equipment that saves lives in real national emergencies to pay for his ineffective and racist border wall. The president is playing politics with U.S. national security, and manufacturers in Connecticut and the Connecticut National Guard are going to pay the price. This decision today only makes us less safe, less prepared, and more vulnerable to a natural disaster. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to fight this administration to make sure these funds are restored,” said Murphy.

Transfers that will specifically impact Connecticut equities:

  • -$1.4 billion for National Guard and Reserve Equipment and Modernization
  • -$389 million for F-35 production, including -$233 million for 2 Marine Corps F-35Bs and -$156 million for Air Force F-35A Advanced Procurement.

Total DoD Programs Impacted by Reprogramming:

DoD Base Budget:

  • -$100 million for Army National Guard HMMWV Modernization
  • -$101 million for Heavy Expanded Mobile Tactical Trucks
  • -$223 million for 2 Joint Strike Fighter F-35B Aircraft
  • -$155 million for 2 MV-22 Osprey
  • -$180 million for 1 P-8A Poseidon
  • -$650 million for the Landing Helicopter Assault Ship Replacement
  • -$261 million for Expeditionary Fast Transport
  • -$156 million for F-35 Advanced Procurement
  • -$196 million for 2 C-130J
  • -$180 million for the Light Attack Aircraft
  • +1.629 billion for Counter Narcotics Support

Overseas Contingency Operations:          

  • -$395 million for Army National Guard Equipment
  • -$395 million for Air National Guard Equipment
  • -$169 million for 2 C-130J
  • -$160 million for 8 MQ-9 Reaper
  • -$205 million for Army Reserve Equipment
  • -$75 million for Navy Reserve
  • -$25 million for Marine Corps Reserve Equipment
  • -$205 million for Air Force Reserve Equipment
  • +2.202 billion for Counter Narcotics Support

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