AT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING SHAHEEN REITERATES OPPOSITION TO BASE CLOSURE PROPOSAL

(Washington, DC) – This morning U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reiterated her opposition to base closure proposals at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing where she directly relayed concerns to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel regarding these proposals in this year’s White House budget.  Today’s hearing was the first opportunity to address the President’s Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Authorization request with senior cabinet members.

“Another round of base closures is at odds with the interest of our national security, our shipyard, our workers and the economy in New Hampshire,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m committed to using my position on the Armed Services Committee to oppose any effort to further base closing recommendations.”

Shaheen also pressed Secretary Hagel on the completion of the European Infrastructure Consolidation Review which was scheduled to be finished last year. The review would identify opportunities to consolidate and close bases overseas as a means of finding budget savings rather than closing domestic bases.

“Before we even consider closing domestic bases we need to have a full understanding of the costs of our bases and infrastructure stationed abroad,” Shaheen added. “The European Infrastructure Consolidation Review will provide us with a better picture of our overseas assets and I hope it will be completed promptly.”

Shaheen has pushed back against Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) requests and last year, as Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support rejected the Administration’s request for another round of BRAC. In 2005, BRAC proceedings cost nearly $14 billion more than expected.