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2005 Ron Paul Chapter 50
Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional website.
Congressional Record [.PDF]
Introducing A Bill To Postpone The 2005 Round Of Defense Base Closure And Realignment
19 May 2005
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, May 19, 2005
2005 Ron Paul 50:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to postpone the 2005 round of military
base closure and realignment. This bill
would postpone the conclusion of the Realignment
report issued by the Department of Defense
on 13 May 2005, as well as any preceding
or subsequent plans that may ultimately
be enacted to close or realign military
bases on U.S. territory. This bill will postpone
such closures and realignments until a specific
set of criteria have been fulfilled, including
until both the Defense Department and Congress
have had the opportunity to fully study
the recommendations and their implications for
the national security and defense of the United
States.
2005 Ron Paul 50:2
This round of base closure and realignment also should not go forward while we have hundreds
of thousands of troops deployed overseas
in major conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The constant rotation of troops and other
personnel to these major theaters of operations
has caused great disruption, logistical
strain, and terrible burdens on our
servicemembers, their families, and the military
itself.
2005 Ron Paul 50:3
Also, we should not proceed with this round of base closures and realignments before the
2006 release of the Quadrennial Defense Review.
Congress must have ample time to
study the recommendations of the QDR before
agreeing on any major closure and realignment
strategy. To do otherwise just does not
make any sense.
2005 Ron Paul 50:4
Mr. Speaker, for these and other reasons I feel it is essential — for the strength of our military,
the effectiveness of our defense, and the
security of all Americans — that we postpone
this round of BRAC closings until we are able
to satisfy the critical criteria outlined in this bill.
I hope my colleagues will join me by supporting
this legislation and I hope for its
speedy consideration on the House Floor.
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