Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has announced his intention to block Army civilian nominations until the Army fulfills its commitment to use $41.4 million in unspent funds to improve living conditions at Fort Leonard Wood.
Despite confirming their commitment to Senator Hawley during the summer months, the Army has yet to utilize the allocated funds for refurbishing 1,142 family homes on the post that require repair in fiscal year 2023, according to a letter from Senator Hawley addressed to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth on October 5. Senator Hawley has pledged to oppose the confirmation of any Army civilians requiring unanimous consent in the Senate for their positions until the Army invests the promised funds into Fort Leonard Wood.
“In the ten months since the commitment was made, the Army has continually dragged its feet. Now we know for sure that you have broken your promise,” Senator Hawley wrote.
The fiscal year 2023 has just concluded, and yet the Army has indicated that they have no plans to utilize these funds until at least mid-December, as per Senator Hawley’s findings.
Furthermore, the Army had previously committed to investing an additional $50 million in on-post housing for fiscal year 2024 and assured in May 2022 that they would deliver a plan for replacing all housing units. However, despite Senator Hawley sending three letters requesting an update on the plan, Congress has yet to receive any such proposal.
“The Army’s inability to meet its own deadlines is unacceptable, and I will wait no longer. … The soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood deserve better, and it is your responsibility to deliver for them,” Senator Hawley emphasized in his letter.
When questioned, an Army spokesperson stated that the service would not disclose correspondence with lawmakers and that the Secretary would respond to Senator Hawley directly as appropriate.
This decision to block nominations will join the more than 300 military officers whose promotions are already subject to a unilateral block in the Senate by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. In September, the Senate voted individually to confirm three of the top nominees.
Senator Hawley has been dedicated to addressing conditions at Fort Leonard Wood for several years, according to a press release. However, housing issues on military bases extend beyond Fort Leonard Wood.
A Government Accountability Office report discovered that military barracks, which are not privatized like some family housing units, are in a decrepit state. Furthermore, the military does not adequately monitor housing conditions. Investigators conducted visits to ten random installations and uncovered serious health, safety, and quality of life problems.
