Watertown Daily Times - Gillibrand, Stefanik Oppose Potential BRAC Round, Praise Fort Drum

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By: Gordon Block

The military's continued request for a new round of Base Realignment and Closure didn't receive much enthusiasm from members of New York's Congressional delegation.
"I have always opposed BRAC and will continue fighting to protect all of our installations from potential cuts," U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said in a statement to the Times.
During a recent speech, Jamie Morin, director for the Pentagon's Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, said the Department of Defense could save up to 25 percent in some missions by making installation cuts.
The comments, reported by Defense News, followed a presentation in early March by Pentagon officials to the House Appropriations Military Construction Subcommittee. One Pentagon estimate indicated the military could save $2 billion annually with a base-cutting round in 2019.
Sen. Gillibrand said she has always opposed the BRAC process, and would do what she could to protect bases like Fort Drum.
"This base is also the single biggest economic driver in the region and the loss of jobs that would stem from BRAC would have devastating effects," she said. "I take the threat of BRAC very seriously and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the stability of Fort Drum and all of our units."
Sen. Gillibrand's thoughts on the BRAC process were mirrored by Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro.
"I strongly oppose any new round of BRAC and continue to work in Congress against any push that would harm our military readiness," she said, in a statement.
Congress has rejected multiple Army requests in recent years for base closures. The last BRAC round took place in 2005, with other rounds in 1995, 1993, 1991 and 1989.
The Pentagon's enthusiasm for a new BRAC round comes as defense officials prepare for federal sequestration budget cuts which are expected to return in the 2018 fiscal year.
Ms. Stefanik said she was in favor of language in the 2016 fiscal year authorization bill blocking money from going toward a new BRAC round.
"In the north country, we saw firsthand the devastating effects that BRAC can have on the military and our local community when Plattsburgh Air Force Base was closed," she said, "and I will continue to fight in Congress against another round of BRAC."

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