Democratic lawmakers criticize the cost of renovations for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's official residence at Fort McNair, raising questions about transparency and spending priorities.
The U.S. Department of Defense has recently come under scrutiny for the extensive repairs and upgrades conducted on a historic home at Fort McNair, Washington D.C., which will serve as the official residence of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth . According to a U.S. official familiar with the renovation project, the Army undertook the repairs independently, as the over 100-year-old dwelling had been vacant for a year and required security enhancements.
The total cost of the repairs, disclosed in a January 30th notification to Congress, reached $137,000. This figure includes nearly $50,000 allocated for fresh paint. The disclosure of these substantial costs has ignited calls for greater transparency from some Democratic lawmakers, who seek clarification on the necessity of such extensive repairs and whether Hegseth will contribute to the government through rental payments for the military-provided housing, a requirement for other senior executive service defense officials.The Army asserts that it routinely performs maintenance and repairs on all residences between tenants to ensure occupancy standards, regardless of rank or position. They emphasize that historic homes often incur higher repair costs due to their size and intricate architectural details. However, the expense arises amidst the Trump administration's efforts to cut government spending. President Donald Trump has publicly stated his intention to reduce expenditures across various agencies.Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat who has been actively seeking answers regarding the housing upgrades, expressed her concern in a statement to the Associated Press. She questioned Hegseth's awareness of the cost to taxpayers for his preferred residence and condemned the perceived hypocrisy of advocating for budget cuts while simultaneously benefiting from such substantial government expenditures. She also demanded a commitment from Hegseth to address the housing concerns of service members facing issues like mold and rodents, ensuring they receive swift and comparable housing solutions
PETE HEGSETH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FORT MCNAIR MILITARY HOUSING REPAIRS RENOVATIONS TRANSPARENCY GOVERNMENT SPENDING CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS
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