{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-urges-army-consider-jblm-rif-impact", "Reichert Urges Army to Consider JBLM RIF Impact", "2014-08-25", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Issaquah, WA \u2013 On August 22nd, U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-8) sent a letter to Colonel Robert Wittig, U.S. Army Environmental Command, to urge him to consider the impact that a Reduction in Force (RIF) might have on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). A RIF is planned for JBLM no later than January 15, 2015 which could result in income losses for the communities and businesses that JBLM troops support.\nIn the letter Reichert states, \u201cAs the representative of Washington\u2019s Eighth Congressional District, I ask that you look at all of the facts and make a decision that is in the best interest of the security of our nation, the operation of JBLM, and the surrounding local communities.\u00a0Thank you for your fair and thorough consideration of the SPEA for the 2020 Force Structure Realignment. I have faith that the Army will come to the right decision while keeping the security of our nation at the forefront.\u201d\nThe full text of the letter is below.\n\u00a0\nAugust 22, 2014\n\u00a0\nCol. Robert Wittig\nU.S. Army Environmental Command\nATTN: SPEA Public Comments\n2450 Connell Road (Building 2264)\nJoint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664\nDear Col. Wittig, \u00a0\nThank you for serving and all who serve this country. I certainly understand your commitment to doing what is best for our great nation and the men and women who serve.\u00a0 Therefore, as the Army continues to deliberate the SPEA (Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment) review for the Army\u2019s 2020 Force Structure Realignment, I respectfully wish to reemphasize the potential impacts to the community that a Reduction in Force (RIF) might have on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).\nWith the Department of the Army planning to conduct a RIF at JBLM no later than January 15, 2015, which may result in the involuntary separation of 102 permanent employees, it is important to review all of the facts before making a decision that will have an impact on the surrounding communities of JBLM. \u00a0The local community has forged a bond with the over 30,000 soldiers living outside of the base and the local economy has become dependent on this bond.\nThroughout the public comment period, I have heard concerns from community leaders. According to the Pierce County Council and multiple businesses in the area, a reduction of 16,000 troops at JBLM would result in a total income loss of over $1 billion.\u00a0Other concerns include the Department of the Army\u2019s underestimated impacts on local revenue, unemployment rates, and housing market in the area.\u00a0\nAs the representative of Washington\u2019s Eighth Congressional District, I ask that you look at all of the facts and make a decision that is in the best interest of the security of our nation, the operation of JBLM, and the surrounding local communities.\u00a0Thank you for your fair and thorough consideration of the SPEA for the 2020 Force Structure Realignment. \u00a0I have faith that the Army will come to the right decision while keeping the security of our nation at the forefront. Please do not hesitate to contact Zack Guill in my district office at (425) 677-7414 if you need additional information.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dave Reichert\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Member of Congress\n\u00a0\nCC: The Honorable John McHugh, Secretary\nU.S. Army", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-urges-army-consider-jblm-rif-impact"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7703781593590975, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}