Defense Drumbeat

America's Military Today:

• To fund other priorities with constrained budgets, the services have been diverting funds from facilities maintenance, a risky gamble that has accelerated the failure rate of our infrastructure.
• Estimates of the number of facilities that now meet the Pentagon's definition of "failing" have doubled in recent years.
• Our Armed Forces are struggling with crumbling and mold-ridden barracks, hangars that have been condemned, air traffic control facilities and runways in disrepair, collapsed ceilings and contaminated water.
• The backlog of deferred maintenance on facilities has increased from $2 billion in 1978 to $100 billion today.

What the Bipartisan Budget Agreement Can Do: Invest $23.4 billion to restore everything including barracks, hangars, roads, runways, and hospitals.

• $14.4 billion to sustain, repair, and upgrade military infrastructure
• $9 billion for new construction

***Based on FY18 NDAA Funding Levels***