Congressman André Carson Addresses DFAS Concerns with Secretary of the Army McHugh
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Today, Congressman Carson released the following statement after speaking with Secretary of the Army John McHugh about an Army proposal to realign certain financial management and accounting services handled by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). The exchange occurred during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2015 Army budget.
This week, Congressman Carson also sent a letter this week to DFAS posing a number of questions about the Army proposal, possible changes to the Indianapolis workforce, and impacts on cost effectiveness and efficiency. The letter was cosigned by Senators Donnelly and Coats and Representatives Brooks, Bucshon and Walorski.
"DFAS-Indianapolis and its thousands of Hoosier employees play a critical role in our national security. These dedicated men and women have unique expertise to pay the bills of the world's largest military and ensure billions of our tax dollars are spent properly. The expansion of the facility over the last two decades is proof of their competence and the trust they have garnered in Washington.
"Recently, I was disturbed to learn that the Army has proposed pulling some of these services in house and away from DFAS. This has the potential to not only harm our talented Hoosier workforce, but also impact the ability of DFAS to continue providing the same consistent, high quality service for which it is known. I appreciate the answers provided by Secretary McHugh at today's hearing and look forward to receiving additional details about the proposal in the near future.
"I believe the track record of DFAS-Indianapolis speaks for itself. I look forward to discussing this with the Army in the coming months and developing a financial management plan that makes full use of well-qualified DFAS professionals in Indianapolis."
DFAS is headquartered at the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis, employing over 3,800 Hoosiers.