Investigates

Will money meant for $100 million military project in Mayport now go to border wall instead?

Action News Jax Investigates is asking if a $100 million project for Jacksonville and Mayport is in jeopardy.

The Mayport funding is for a Littoral combat ship operational training facility addition, and a LCS support facility.

“Those facilities are critical,” said former Navy Captain, Rick Hoffman.

Hoffman served at Mayport, and was at the Pentagon for the procurement of the LCS program.

Hoffman said the new facilities would create jobs, and a better maintained fleet means a safer environment for sailors.

“It’s already a risky business,” Hoffman said.  “To cut corners on training, to cut corners on readiness, to cut corners on the combat system capability of the ships increases risk, and increases risk for young men and women who have signed on to go do this very difficult job.”

Two new facilities for littoral combat ships are supposed to be funded this year.

Today, President Donald Trump announced he plans to use about $3.5 billion from planned military construction projects toward border security.

Action News Jax reporter Russell Colburn took the concerns to congressional lawmakers.

Here are statements from congressional lawmakers sent to Action News Jax:

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson statement:
"The president's manufactured crisis is threatening the training, readiness and quality of life of our military and their families by targeting the LCS Support Facility and the LCS Operational Training Facility Addition, two high-priority construction initiatives in Jacksonville. He is declaring an emergency over a crisis that doesn't truly exist.  Border crossings are actually down to one-fifth of what they were in 2000. With this unlawful declaration, the president is trying to go around the democratic process and that is not how any of this works."

Congressman John Rutherford statement:
"I support President Trump's decision to declare a national emergency to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. Every moment we delay securing our border is detrimental to communities across America ravaged by drugs, crime, and human trafficking. With regard to military construction projects, the White House has indicated they may be reviewing unspent dollars from previous years to fund sections of our desperately needed border wall. Through our conversations with the Department of Defense and the Appropriations Committee, we do not expect Fiscal Year 2019 projects such as those at Naval Station Mayport to be impacted by this declaration. As a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring our warfighters and their families have the resources they need to defend our nation."

Senator Rick Scott statement:
"Senator Rick Scott will always fight for Florida's military members, veterans and their families, and will work with the Administration to ensure Florida's bases receive all the resources they need to support the men and women of our armed forces that risk their lives to keep us safe."

Senator Marco Rubio's office statement:
"We are currently in the process of confirming with the Department of Defense what specific accounts will be utilized in addition to any programs or projects which will be impacted."