Press Releases

Washington DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee, joined House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), to demand that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth explain why he expects taxpayers to pay for a $50,000 ‘emergency’ paint job on his furnished government house.

The highly paid TV personality wants the public to cover this and other living expenses at a time when many servicemembers and their families reside in unacceptable housing conditions that include mold, lead paint, and other hazards. 

“Why is $49,900 for emergency painting of this residence necessary and how does that use of funds comply with the Administration’s stated goal of government efficiency?” the Members wrote in their letter.

The Trump Administration tout government efficiency goals to justify draconian funding freezes and cuts to federal programs, services and jobs. Secretary Hegseth has echoed those objectives, and is expected to earn $246,000 a year from his new public post, and over the last two years, he reportedly earned $6 million as a FOX News host and from other TV personality earnings. Yet, Hegseth has requested to live in a 4,000 square-foot government furnished house, and requested over $137,000 in taxpayer-funded upgrades and other associated costs. Of that total amount, he’s asked taxpayers to pay a staggering sum of $50,000 for an “emergency” paint job. 

Meanwhile, thousands of servicemembers reside in poor living conditions that include rodent and pest infestations, exposure to lead paint and other toxins, and water leaks that breed mold growth and damage personal property. The substandard residential settings undercut military morale, recruiting and readiness. 

“We know that many servicemembers and their families currently live in unacceptable housing conditions including houses with mold, lead paint, and other hazards.” the Democratic Members wrote to Hegseth. “What commitment will you make to provide servicemembers with a similarly high quality of housing for themselves and their families” they asked.

The full letter is available here and copied below:

Dear Secretary Hegseth,

On January 30, 2025, the Army notified the committee of its intent to exceed the $35,000 threshold for operation, maintenance, and repair of a currently empty family housing unit, for a total requirement of $137,297. Of this amount, $49,900 would be required for an “emergency” paint job. It was not until February 5, 2025 that the committee learned that you would be the occupant of this family housing unit. 

Please respond to the following questions:

1.         Why do you require government furnished housing?  

2.         Why do you require housing specifically at ------?

3.         Please provide a list of all currently available officer quarters that require less than $137,297 in upgrades.

4.         What is the total monthly rent that you will pay?

5.         Please provide a list of past Secretaries of Defense that required government furnished housing including the costs required to improve that housing before occupancy and the annual rent that was paid.

6.         The notification states that, “This General Flag Officers Quarters (GFOQ) was inadvertently omitted from the list of GFOQs submitted in the FY2025 President’s Budget.” If this was a requirement a year ago, why is the painting now considered an emergency that requires a waiver of our 14-day waiting period requirement?

7.         Why is $49,900 for emergency painting of this residence necessary and how does that use of funds comply with the Administration’s stated goal of government efficiency?

8.         We know that many servicemembers and their families currently live in unacceptable housing conditions including houses with mold, lead paint, and other hazards. What commitment will you make to provide servicemembers with a similarly high quality of housing for themselves and their families?

We look forward to your prompt response by February 21, 2025.

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