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Statement
by Jill Lancelot, Legislative Director
at Taxpayers for Common Sense on Base Closures
Today's
vote in the Senate to allow additional base closures is an
important victory for the Pentagon's reform efforts. As America's
armed forces stand at a critical juncture, the Senate has
shown the courage to allow the Department of Defense the opportunity
to reduce its excess infrastructure.
In
this time of crisis, it is inappropriate for Congress to require
that the nation's military pay to maintain facilities that
they do not want or need.
Base closures
have a critical strategic value for our armed forces. Simple
grade school math shows that there isn't enough money to maintain
the readiness of our Armed Forces and adequately modernize
our military.
The Pentagon
estimates that taxpayers could save $3.6 billion per year
by simply closing obsolete bases. This unnecessary spending
comes as the United States military stands at a crossroads.
The military is undertaking a costly restructuring of its
forces, and base closures can free up more than $21 billion
over ten years.
Our men
and women in uniform must be ready to do what needs to be
done to protect this nation's interests. The weight of excess
military infrastructure should not be added to their burden.
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