Cramer Advocates for North Alabama BRAC Funding

Cramer Advocates for North Alabama BRAC Funding

Washington, D.C. - During a hearing of the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) questioned Senior Defense Officials on BRAC military construction funding and efforts to help areas like North Alabama prepare for growth.

In today's hearing, Representative Cramer asked Phil Grone, the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, about the Department of Defense's plans to help communities prepare for the expected population growth from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) relocations. The BRAC Commission recommended relocating significant parts of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), the United States Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), and the Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) to Redstone Arsenal.

Representative Cramer is working to ensure that North Alabama and other areas have the funding and federal support they need to continue to meet the demands of their growing populations. This includes upgrading infrastructure, ensuring adequate support services are available, and strengthening education systems in North Alabama.

"North Alabama will be positively impacted by BRAC and we must be prepared for our area's expected growth," said Cramer. "We need to make sure that our needs are met in this process and that the full scope of construction projects we will need, including day care and firefighter facilities, will get the right level of funding."

In response to Representative Cramer's questions, Secretary Grone said the Department of Defense will help local communities prepare through the Economic Adjustment Committee (EAC) Grant program. The EAC is requesting $60 million for Fiscal Year 2007 to help communities with master planning and adjustment. Secretary Grone also said that, through the EAC, the Defense Department is putting an emphasis on high-growth communities.

Cramer also asked Secretary Grone to ensure that the Department of Defense will help with military construction that will be needed as a result of BRAC. Secretary Grone said the Defense Department would review the entire picture and would support projects that could be directly attributable to the bases' mission requirements. The Department of Defense estimates that it will require $22.8 billion to fully implement BRAC.

Representative Cramer is a member of the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, which allocates funding for Military Construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The subcommittee also funds programs that help enhance the quality of life for service men and women. This includes the Defense Health Program, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and the sustainment, repair, and modernization of military facilities.

http://cramer.house.gov/HoR/AL05/News/Press+Releases/2006/2-15-06+Cramer+Advocates+for+North+Alabama+BRAC+Funding.htm