Base Closing Opposition Flares Up

As Congress continues to work on the fiscal 2006 authorization bill for the Defense Department, opposition to the planned round of base realignments and closings has flared up, particularly among senators whose states stand to lose facilities and jobs under the plan, which is now pending before a special commission. Several measures have been introduced, which may be offered as amendments in Senate floor voting on the Defense bill, to require the Pentagon to turn over certain supporting information or else the process would be stopped, or to delay the process pending the return of most troops from Iraq, a complete analysis on overseas facility requirements and the release of several reports in progress, including a quadrennial long-term planning document. However, the House—where opposition to base closings traditionally is stronger–already has defeated an attempt to stop the process.