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Department of Defense Moves Swiftly to
Implement Recovery Act
Release of DoD Recovery Act Projects
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides $7.4 billion to the Department largely for projects that are located at Defense installations spread across all fifty states, District of Columbia and two U.S. territories.
On March 20, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its first report of projects to be funded by the ARRA. This plan contains $2.3 billion in construction projects, including two major hospital construction projects: Camp Pendleton, California; Fort Hood, Texas; and a hospital alteration project at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. The plan also contains $3.4 billion for nearly 3,000 facility repair and improvement projects that will immediately generate additional employment in communities around Defense installations. Furthermore, the plan details how $300 million for near-term energy technology research will be allocated.
On April 28, 2009, the DoD announced details of more than 850 additional facility improvement projects funded by the ARRA. The $835 million budget for these new projects represents the remaining funds of the first ARRA infrastructure investment list announced on March 20, 2009. These projects will be conducted at Army and Army National Guard facilities in 37 states and the District of Columbia. More than half of the $835 million will be spent in five states: Texas ($155 million), Kentucky ($83 million), North Carolina ($83 million), Oklahoma ($66 million) and Hawaii ($59 million). In addition to making much-needed improvements to military installations, an additional $346 million will be spent on energy-related projects, enabling the DoD to lead the way in the national effort to achieve greater energy independence.
- Department of Defense Expenditure Plans – March 20, 2009 Report | (PDF)
- Department of Defense Expenditure Plans – April 28, 2009 Report | (PDF)
![Defense is Moving Swiftly on Recovery Act](plans_reports/2009/may/milcom2.jpg) |
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![Impact Across the Country](plans_reports/2009/march/milcomap3.jpg) |
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Background on the Recovery Act
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes approximately $7.4 billion in Defense-related appropriations, which account for less than 1 percent of the total $787 billion stimulus package signed on February 17 by President Obama. The Department intends to spend this funding with full transparency and accountability.
As stated on recovery.gov, the purpose of the Recovery Act is to create and save jobs, jumpstart our economy, and build the foundation for long-term economic growth. In order to fulfill these objectives, the Department intends to execute Defense-related funds as quickly as possible:
- Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization - $4.26 billion
to upgrade thousands of Department buildings, including energy-related
improvements and upgrades to military medical facilities
- Military Construction – $2.18 billion for new construction, including $1.33 billion for hospitals
- Energy Conservation Investment – $120 million for improving the energy efficiency of existing facilities
- Near Term Energy Efficiency Technology Demonstrations and Research – $300 million to develop energy-efficient technologies
- Homeowners Assistance – $555 million for a temporary expansion of assistance to qualified military and civilian personnel who suffer financial loss on the sale of their primary residence
Appropriations in this bill are available for obligation through the end of fiscal 2010, and through the end of fiscal 2013 for military construction.
The Recovery Act funding addresses some of the unique economic pressures faced by American service members because of their voluntary commitment to serve our nation. Specific investment in military construction will further President Obama’s goal of providing stimulus to the economy while helping to improve the quality of life for our troops and their families. In addition to providing much needed facility improvements, this bill also provides more funding for our important energy research programs so that the Department can continue to lead the way in the national effort to achieve greater energy independence.
Federally Registered Lobbyist Contact Disclosure Instructions
On March 20, 2009, the President issued a memo outlining requirements that executive department and agency employees must follow regarding communications with federally registered lobbyists about Recovery Act funds. The memo requires that such communications be documented, and that the documentation be posted on the department's Recovery Act website. For additional information, please see Section 3 of "Ensuring
Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds". |
- DoD Interim Instructions Regarding Communications with Federally Registered Lobbyists (pdf)
- Federally Registered Lobbyist Disclosure Form for DoD Employees (pdf form)
- Documented communications with Federally Registered Lobbyists will be posted here
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Agency Plans and Reports
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act |
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report March 3, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report March 10, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report March 17, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report March 24, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report March 31, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report April 07, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report April 14, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report April 21, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report April 28, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report May 05, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
- Defense Department Weekly Update Report May 12, 2009 (pdf) | (xls)
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$555 Million Expansion to Housing Assistance Program |
The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced details for the expansion of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). Using $555 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), this temporary program is designed to partially reimburse home sale losses in the following priority order:
- Wounded service members relocating for treatment or medical retirement, and for the survivors of those who have died while on deployment.
- Military and DoD civilians affected by the 2005 BRAC round, without the need (which existed under previous law) to prove that the base closure caused the local market decline.
- Normal military permanent change of station (PCS) moves, on a temporary basis.
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Special eligibility criterion for this temporary program expansion is available on the HAP website.
All active and former members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, as well as DoD civilians, who have sold a primary residence for a loss or are considering selling their home are encouraged to visit the HAP website in order to check specific program criteria, and if eligible, apply online. |
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