New Base Closure Bill Could Save Taxpayers Over $20 Billion
Washington,
D.C. - A bill introduced today to authorize new base closures
could save taxpayers more than $20 billion over the next
15 years, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS),
a national budget watchdog organization.
The
bill, which was introduced by Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) would authorize two new rounds
of base closes in 2003 and 2005. That would save billions
for other important defense priorities, says the group.
“This
common sense legislation is good for taxpayers and for the
Pentagon,” said Alise Frye, Director of the TCS National
Security Project . “This important piece of legislation
is key ingredient for our national security priorities for
the twenty-first century. Base closure is a vital next step
in right-sizing the U.S. military.”
Base
Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, allows for the creation
of a commission to review military bases for the possibility
of closure. In order to maintain impartiality, the commission
creates a list of bases to be closed that is then sent to
Congress for a yes or no vote without amendments.
Currently,
the armed services must pay about $3.6 billion a year for
excess bases. By 2003, this cost will have grown to more
than $25 billion. The United States could save a projected
$21 billion dollars through 2015 if the military is allowed
to close its unneeded bases in 2003 and 2005.
“While
savings may not be seen immediately from the closure of
unneeded bases, base closure is important to meeting our
national security needs. Dollars spent on maintaining those
facilities are dollars not spent on modernizing equipment
or improving the quality of life for men and women in uniform.,”
continued Frye.
A
recent report by Business Executives for National Security
found that 70% of the Department of Defense budget is spent
on support functions, including bases.
Said
Frye, “It would be comparable to seven of every 10
firemen just doing paperwork - leaving only three left to
fight fires.”
While
base closures are initially difficult for communities, research
has shown that previously closed military bases across the
country are now generating income and providing jobs at
equal or higher rates than the military base provided. Base
property returned to communities has been turned into schools,
community centers and municipal airports.
Studies
by the RAND Corporation, the Congressional Research Service
and the National Bureau of Economic Research have found
that in the long run, localities with closed bases are better
off.
“The
military has been asking Congress for six years to allow
another round of base closures. It is time for Congress
to do the right thing for taxpayers and for America’s
soldiers, sailors and airmen,” concluded Frye.
