Durbin, Sorensen, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Call For Continued Support For Defense Communities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and U.S. Representative Blake Moore (R-UT-01), today led a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to maintain robust support for the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC).
The OLDCC administers crucial programs, including the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP), the Community Noise Mitigation Program, and the Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) program. These initiatives provide important resources to state and local communities, helping to repair infrastructure, strengthen the defense industrial base, and support military readiness. Between Fiscal Years 2020 and 2024, Illinois has received $73 million in federal funding from OLDCC.
“Grants from OLDCC provide communities across the country with the ability to tackle important projects to better support their local military installations that they otherwise would not have been able to fund themselves,” the lawmakers wrote. “DMCSP grants have helped strengthen the U.S. defense industrial manufacturing base and prepare our national security workforce fortechnologies for the future. In addition, the Mission Realignment program has been a lifeline to communities after base closures or reductions, helping revitalize the local economies of communities that faithfully supported our defense mission.”
“OLDCC programs are also smart investments. OLDCC collaborates with a wide variety of partners to support military readiness and resiliency while addressing community workforce and business needs. In addition, it notably leverages non-federal contributions into the defense mission, demonstrating the utility of its grant programs in furthering taxpayer dollars,” the lawmakers continued.
“We urge your continued support of all the vital programs administered by the OLDCC and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Defense to ensure that our state and local communities are able to support our defense missions,” the lawmakers concluded their letter.
Since its inception, the OLDCC has provided technical and financial assistance to nearly every U.S. state and territory. In the last year alone, grants have funded projects such as sewer system upgrades, emergency backup generators, runway rehabilitation, and workforce development in the defense manufacturing sector.
“The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has been a long time and staunch advocate for the Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation (OLDCC),” said Karen Holt, President of the Alliance of Defense Communities. “This office serves as the critical link between the Department of Defense and defense communities across the country. OLDCC programs are instrumental in maintaining the readiness of our military installations, missions, service members, and the communities they call home. ADC greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congressman Eric Sorensen and Congressman Blake Moore for leading this effort to advocate for maintaining OLDCC funding levels. OLDCC programs are core to the idea that national security starts at home.”
Additional Senators signing onto the letter were U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
House Members who signed onto the letter were U.S. Representatives Ed Case (HI-01), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Robert Scott (VA-03), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Michael Turner (OH-10), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Delegate James Moylan (Guam).
You can view the letter HERE.
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