Veronica Escobar Seeks to Speed Up Military Construction Projects

U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D) has introduced bipartisan legislation alongside Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO) directing the Department of Defense to study expanding the use of Intergovernmental Support Agreements, a move aimed at accelerating small military construction projects while reducing costs and improving the quality of life for servicemembers.

Improving infrastructure at military installations

Rep. Escobar and Rep. Alford have introduced the Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act, designed to modernize how the Department of Defense completes minor military construction projects.

The bill would require the Defense Department to examine expanding the use of Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) to complete eligible projects more quickly and at a lower cost.

Escobar said the legislation would help eliminate unnecessary delays that affect military installations such as Fort Bliss while saving taxpayer dollars.

Rep. Veronica Escobar: "At Fort Bliss and installations across the country, servicemembers should not have to wait for years for the facilities and infrastructure they need because of outdated red tape, and taxpayers shouldn't have to pay millions more in construction costs because of it either."

Expanding local partnerships

Alford said the legislation builds on existing tools already available to the military.

Rep. Mark Alford: "Modernizing our military infrastructure doesn't always require reinventing the wheel; we can make smarter use of the tools we already have."

He added that stronger partnerships with state and local governments could help complete projects more efficiently while improving accountability and military readiness.

What the legislation would do

The Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act would:

• Require the Army, Navy, and Air Force assistant secretaries responsible for installations to study the feasibility of using IGSAs for unspecified minor military construction projects.
• Examine increasing project limits from $9 million to $18 million for laboratory revitalization projects.
• Examine increasing project limits from $4 million to $8 million for projects funded through Operation and Maintenance accounts.
• Require the Department of Defense to identify up to 10 military construction projects that could qualify under the expanded authority.

The Bottom Line

The bipartisan Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act would direct the Department of Defense to study expanding the use of partnerships with state and local governments for smaller military construction projects, to reduce costs, speed project delivery, and improve conditions for servicemembers.