Hoyer Renews Support for BRAC Recommendations

Washington, DC – Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today released the following statement regarding his opposition to H.J. Res. 65 - a resolution to disapprove the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

“The process of identifying and closing excess military infrastructure has been a critically important part of the Pentagon’s ongoing effort to reorganize its assets to maximize America’s war fighting capability and overall efficiency.

“Every round of BRAC has required the Department of Defense, the BRAC Commission and Congress to make difficult choices, as the shuttering of a military installation is a decision that has long-term implications both for the Department and for the community that is home to the facility.

“As has been the case in previous rounds of base closures, I believe this BRAC has been handled in a fair and equitable way, and the members of the commission can be proud of their work. They have overturned a number of the recommendations made by the Pentagon, and kept a majority of the proposed closings and realignments in place.

“I believe the resulting recommendations of the Commission are in the best interest of the United States, both from the perspective of maximizing our national security, and by ensuring that American taxpayers are not paying for redundant and unnecessary infrastructure.

“I am especially proud that the BRAC commission recognized the important role Maryland’s military installations are playing in the global war on terror, as evidenced by the fact that our state will gain a tremendous number of jobs at facilities throughout the state.

“In southern Maryland in particular, the Commission recognized that the deliberate and effective symmetry constructed at Indian Head and Pax River benefits all branches of the military and maximizes military effectiveness.

“The efforts of Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, along with the entire Maryland Congressional delegation, were key to educating and informing the Pentagon and the BRAC Commission about the military capabilities here in Maryland. I thank them for their efforts to promote the value of our state’s defense infrastructure.

“This process truly worked, and the American people are safer for it.”

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