Published: 2005
Total Pages: 23
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On November 15, 2002, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced the first steps in implementing the new 2005 base realignment and closure (BRAC) law. These included development of a force structure plan, comprehensive inventory of military installations, and establishment of criteria for selecting bases for closure and realignment. The Secretary of Defense submitted a report to Congress on March 23, 2004, confirming the need for a further BRAC round and certifying that an additional round of closures and realignments would result in annual net savings, over a period ending no later than FY2011. On May 20, 2004, the House of Representatives voted 259 to 162 to delay base closings until 2007. In response to this action, the White House immediately released a statement declaring that the Secretary of Defense, and other senior advisers, would urge the President to veto any bill that "weakened, delayed, or repealed" the current base closure authority. On October 8, 2004, Senate and the House conferees reached agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2005, which included continued support of DOD's authority to conduct a round of closures and realignments in 2005. Senator John Warner stated that it was essential to allow DOD to complete its effort to reduce the size of its infrastructure. Most recently, the President has appointed nine members to serve on the 2005 BRAC Commission. In doing so, he has consulted with leading Members of Congress. He completed selection of the commissioners on March 15, 2005, the last day required by law. In addition, the President has chosen Anthony A. Principi to serve as the chairman of the BRAC Commission. In order to complete the process, Senate hearings and approval are required. Once formally established, the Commission will then conduct a series of local, D.C. area hearings to collect general information on DOD's force structure needs and goals.
