Jane Harman: “after careful consideration I have decided to support a 2-year delay in the BRAC process. Let me be clear that I remain…”

“after careful consideration I have decided to support a 2-year delay in the BRAC process. Let me be clear that I remain a supporter of BRAC and my vote against this amendment is not a vote against base closures. BRAC plays a vital role in ensuring that we have a modern military that is prepared to fight the next war, not re-fight the last war. It is critically important that the tooth-to-tail ratio of the armed services be reduced, with unnecessary facilities eliminated and resources directed to where they will be most effective in fighting the war on terror. However, I believe there are several reasons why a stay in the process would be the most sensible course at this time. First, our military forces are currently stretched to the limit as they fight the war on terror on more than one front. We have asked our forces to fight a global war and they have risen to the occasion and performed admirably. But as they fight the global war on terrorism, they are encountering uncertain circumstances and unforeseen obstacles. The real-time lessons that we are learning in the war on terror will help the BRAC determine what our military priorities should be in the future. The BRAC law was adopted before September 11, 2001. The terrorists attacks on this country significantly altered U.S. national security priorities.”