Political Quotes

“some colleagues have represented that this BRAC, which is law today, preceded September 11. The record is very clear: Congress authorized BRAC in December of 2001. After careful discussion with DOD as to whether we still require and should proceed, eight former Secretaries of Defense wrote Congress in 2002 that support for another round is unequivocal in light of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I hope that is right in the Record. I hope it does not influence the earlier statements some of my colleagues made. This situation is extremely serious. If we were now to virtually repeal that law in many respects and thrust upon these communities the enormous expense to continue to try and work their cases such that BRAC does not take their case, I commend them for it. It is essential they do that. But the cost is enormous to so many small communities. This question of the overseas bases, we all recognize that structure has to be brought down. Our Nation's basic defense policy for years has been to engage our adversaries beyond our shores. To do that, we had to have a base structure. We are now addressing how with terrorism there are no boundaries to the threats. This country no longer is protected by two mighty oceans. It is a one-world terrorist threat, and every single American citizen is on the front line in the war on terrorism. No one is behind any barricade anymore.”