Daschle Disappointed at Defeat of Amendment to Delay Base Closures
Daschle Disappointed at Defeat of Amendment to Delay Base Closures
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Tom Daschle today expressed his disappointment following the defeat of an amendment that would have limited base closures in 2005 to military bases overseas. The amendment was offered to the Department of Defense Authorization bill.
"America faces new threats and our military needs are uncertain. This is the wrong time to close military bases here at home," said Senator Daschle. "I will continue to work to protect our military infrastructure and ensure our armed forces are prepared for conflicts in the 21st century."
In May 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) is scheduled to issue a list of bases it recommends for closure. As Senate minority leader, Daschle will be able to appoint one member to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. If he is majority leader, Daschle will have two appointments.
Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has indicated that roughly one-quarter of our military base structure could be eliminated in the next round of base closings - more than the total number of bases closed in the previous four rounds. In addition, the 2005 base closure round includes Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard bases for the first time.
There are also significant concerns regarding assumptions used to determine the number of troops and bases necessary to defend America in the coming years. The force structure plan for base closures in 2005 assumes a military force of the same size from 2005-2009. Pentagon officials have also assumed forces based overseas now will remain based overseas in the coming years. Currently, 197,000 troops and 181,000 of their family members are stationed overseas at America's 702 installations outside the United States.
"It is simply unwise to assume American troop levels overseas will remain unchanged," Daschle added. "Just this week, we learned that 4,000 soldiers will be shifted out of South Dakota. I look forward to continuing to work with the Pentagon and my colleagues in Congress to ensure our base closure decisions take into account the dynamic challenges that face our nation at home and abroad."