Mike Levin: “I oppose the amendment. I believe the men and women in uniform and the taxpayers are served best by ensuring that this…”

“I oppose the amendment. I believe the men and women in uniform and the taxpayers are served best by ensuring that this 2005 BRAC process go forward. Every day since September 11, they have been on the front lines of our daily fight against terrorism. They have been sent directly into battle in Afghanistan and most recently in Iraq. Every dollar wasted denies them the resources needed to ensure their success and their safety, and the success and safety of future men and women whom we place in harm's way. The Department of Defense estimates that as much as 25 percent of their current base structure is excess to their needs. We are spending billions of dollars year after year maintaining infrastructure that we simply do not need. It is a waste of public resources to hold onto this infrastructure, and it is an impediment to our efforts to protect our national security. Estimates of previous savings in previous BRAC rounds stand at $17 billion. Perhaps more significant for this debate are the annual savings we could expect from future base closings which are estimated at $6 billion a year. These savings have been documented countless times by the Department of Defense, by the GAO, and by the Congressional Budget Office in letter after letter saying the savings are significant.”