U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) sent a letter this week to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who is finalizing the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Defense (DOD) budget.
The letter's ultimate goal is to ensure any budget cuts don't affect Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, and the duo reminded Carter that the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act requires an independent risk assessment on the Army's ability to meet operational requirements, the implication being that operational demands should be met before any base closures are considered.
"The Army installations in Kentucky provide critical services that are necessary for the national defense and security of our country," Rand and McConnell said. "The units and personnel from Fort Campbell and Fort Knox are some of the greatest assets to the Army and the Commonwealth itself."
Despite the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the DOD faces more cuts in its budget. Paul and McConnell oppose further cuts that may affect the military's ability to respond to threats to national security and respond to conflicts outside of the U.S.
As part of his continuing fight to support the military members and their communities, Paul successfully added his Service Members and Communities Count Act to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 2015. By documenting deployed military personnel as members of their local communities, the U.S. Census Bureau will provide an accurate count of military members that reside in and around their home bases or ports. With accurate population numbers, the communities can receive additional resources to support military families.
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