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12 projects at 5 Hampton Roads bases named in D.o.D. list of possible cuts

Up to $239.7 million could be saved to help pay for the border wall under the national emergency declaration.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Hampton Roads could get hit hard if proposed military construction cuts to pay for President Donald Trump's border wall are fully implemented.

The long-awaited, 20-page, $12.9 billion list is long. 

In an era of terrorist threats and great power competition, the list of possible cuts is surprising considering each of the projects has already been recommended by the Pentagon as necessary, evaluated and appropriated by Congress.

The list was compiled in response to the President's national emergency declaration over illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Here's the breakdown for this region: 

  • Langley Air Force Base: five projects
  • Dam Neck Annex: three projects 
  • Norfolk Naval Shipyard: two projects 
  • Fort Eustis: one project 
  • Naval Station Norfolk: one project

Total possible savings: $239,784,000.

It's not just the sheer number of projects and dollars involved, it's the type of projects. 

“This issue transcends politics, and I am proud to stand with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to uphold the Constitution, defend our system of checks and balances, and protect military funding designed to keep Virginia and America safe,” Congresswoman Elaine Luria said.

Among the potential casualties is a cyber operations center at Langley Air Force Base, and an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance facility expansion for the Navy SEAL's at Dam Neck Annex.

"This list is horrible for Virginia, horrible for Hampton Roads and for the entire nation," said retired Navy Captain Joe Bouchard, who served as commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk. 

"You have to replace, modernize, renovate your facilities," he said. "If you fail to do that, the bases cannot support the operational forces providing them the support they need to be combat ready for deployment."

Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), in a statement, said: 

President Trump is putting his border wall ahead of the safety of our troops. I hope my colleagues in Congress will take a serious look at the projects that support our military in their own states and then vote to override the President’s veto.

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