Representative Levin Defends Camp Pendleton Funding, Votes for Bipartisan Resolution Rejecting President Trump’s Fake Emergency Declaration
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) defended nearly $124 million in funding for military construction projects at Camp Pendleton by voting for a bipartisan resolution rejecting President Trump’s national emergency declaration. The president’s declaration, which was made over a crisis that does not exist, would take billions from military construction projects, potentially including a project at Camp Pendleton to improve drinking water infrastructure on the base.
“The president’s emergency declaration was made over a crisis that does not exist, and it is a gross abuse of power,” said Representative Levin. “We need to secure the border and keep our communities safe, but this declaration doesn’t do that. It undermines our national security by stealing billions from critical military construction projects that ensure our troops have the essential training, readiness, and quality of life necessary to keep the American people safe. Camp Pendleton could lose nearly $124 million in funding for improvements to the base, including over $47 million to improve drinking water infrastructure, which has suffered from chronic contamination problems. America’s servicemembers and their families deserve better, and I won’t let the president get away with this fake declaration without a fight.”
According to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, the following military construction projects at Camp Pendleton could be affected by the president’s national emergency declaration:
- Potable Water Distribution Improvements: $47,230,000
- This project includes construction to replace and upgrade water supply pipelines to transport potable water across Camp Pendleton. It will also replace the existing elevated steel tank, built in 1954, with a new water storage facility. The project will directly impact 11,000 family members that live in base housing and 8,200 civilian and military members that work in the areas.
- AAV-ACV Maintenance & Warehouse Facility: $49,410,000
- This project includes construction on a new multistory Tracked Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV)-Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) Motor Transport Maintenance Complex for the Third Assault Amphibious (AA) Battalion. A new facility is required to properly maintain and repair the existing fleet of AAVs and new ACVs, which support the main combat focus of the Marine Corps: amphibious operations.
- Full Motion Trainer Facility: $10,670,000
- This project includes construction on a full motion trainer (FMT) facility to support Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) craft training. The FMT for the SSC is critical to the training needed to support amphibious landings.
- Electrical Upgrades: $4,020,000
- This project includes construction on required upgrades to the existing electrical system to support the new SSC system. The new system will bring improved technology and increased performance to handle current and future missions, better fuel efficiency, and reduced maintenance through existing shore-based infrastructure.
- SOF EOD Facility – West: $3,547,000
- This project includes construction on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Facility to support operational planning, administration, training and storage for EOD operations for 1st Marine Raider Battalion, which supports Special Operations (SOCOM) across the globe.
- SOF Human Performance Training Center-West: $9,049,000
- This project includes construction on facility expansions to consolidate and integrate Human Performance Program (HPP) functions supporting 240 Critical Skills Operators in 1st Marine Raider Battalion, which supports Special Operations (SOCOM) across the globe.
TOTAL: $123,926,000.
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