Kay Bailey Hutchison: “The important part of this recommendation from the BRAC Commission report is that the option is given to the Department…”

“The important part of this recommendation from the BRAC Commission report is that the option is given to the Department of Defense through the Defense Depot Maintenance Council to move the workload to other depots, yes, or to privatize. The option is given because the Base Closure Commission understood that it was important for the Defense Department to have the flexibility. In fact, to augment that argument, I want to read a letter from the Chairman of the Base Closure Commission. The letter says: The Commission believes reducing infrastructure by expanding privatization to other DoD industrial and commercial activities will reduce the cost of maintaining and operating a ready military force. Privatization of these functions would reduce operating costs, eliminate excess infrastructure and allow uniformed personnel to focus on skills and activities directly related to their military missions. He goes on further to say: It is my view and the view of the Commission's general counsel that the commission's recommendation in the case of both McClellan Air Force Base and Kelly Air Force Base authorizes the transfer of any workload other than the common use ground communication electronic workload to any other DOD depot or to any private sector commercial activity, local or otherwise, including privatization in place. Signed Alan Dixon, Chairman, Base Closure Commission.”