Department of Defense Press Release
Invokes the Feed and Forage Act
Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2001
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld today invoked fiscal provisions available under the Feed and Forage Act to handle costs resulting from the recent terrorist acts.

The Feed and Forage Act allows the Military Departments to incur obligations in excess of available appropriations for clothing, subsistence, fuel, quarters, transportation and medical supplies. This provision is codified in Section 3732 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C.11.) It also authorizes incurring deficiencies for costs of additional members of the Armed Forces on active duty-beyond the number for which funds are currently provided in DoD appropriations (Title 10 U.S.C.).

This authority requires Congressional notification and does not permit actual expenditures until Congress provides an appropriation of the required funds. Congressional notifications were accomplished yesterday.

Invoking the Feed and Forage Act authorities will ensure the Department of Defense can fully support units of the U.S. armed forces involved in military operations and activities resulting from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the aircraft crash in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Defense last invoked the Feed and Forage Act in fiscal 1996 for force protection measures in Saudi Arabia, following the attack on Khobar Towers. While it was invoked at that time, it was not used.

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