[CPEO-MEF] Base Closure One Step Closer

[Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@cpeo.org>]

Today the Senate voted 53-47 to kill an amendment introduced by Senator 
Bunning (R-KY) that would have removed base closure language from the FY 
'02 Defense Authorization bill.  The full bill is expected to be voted on 
before 2 PM tomorrow (Wednesday) before the recess for Yom Kippur.

NAID's email newsletter states:

"In recent days, the Bush Administration has voiced its continued support 
for a single round of base closure in 2003. Many anticipated the events of 
September 11th and our impending military action would have shifted the 
administration's policy on closure. However, in a letter to the leadership 
of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld stated 
'the imperative to convert excess capacity into war-fighting ability is 
enhanced, not diminished [by the events of September 11th].'"

The House Defense Authorization bill does not contain base closure language 
thus this issue will likely be resolved in conference committee.

Aimee




Please note new phone number and address below.
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Aimee R. Houghton
Associate Director, CPEO
1101 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC  20036
tel: 202-452-8039; fax: 202-452-8095
Email: aimeeh@cpeo.org
www.cpeo.org
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