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US Congress Continues to Block Pentagon from Downsizing Military Bases

© AP Photo / Mindaugas KulbisMembers of the US Army B Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division attend a military exercise 'Iron Sword 2014', at the Gaiziunu Training Range in Pabrade some 60km.(38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania
Members of the US Army B Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division attend a military exercise 'Iron Sword 2014', at the Gaiziunu Training Range in Pabrade some 60km.(38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania - Sputnik International
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Unnecessary military bases costly to taxpayers, easy money for Congress members.

On Monday, a senior Pentagon official expressed frustration with the continual undermining by Congress of the Defense Department’s efficiency mandate, known as the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

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Jamie Morin, director of the Pentagon’s Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, estimates that closing and consolidating unnecessary military bases would net a 25 percent savings for some missions. Congress, however, refuses to agree to the proposal.

"It’s not a popular answer," said Morin, "but base realignment and closure is an important part of our efforts." Despite repeated calls from the Pentagon that BRAC would save the US $2 billion annually, the measures remain exceedingly unpopular on Capitol Hill. Over the past several years, Congress has blocked every request by the Pentagon to consolidate or eliminate a military base.

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Lawmakers worry not about fiscal conservatism, when it comes to military-industrial complex expenditures, but rather the political consequences back home.

First, the defense industry is a potent enemy for any politician to cultivate. In 2015, the industry spent some $126 million on lobbying efforts, much of which targeted opposition to expanding military expense. Furthermore, the industry routinely spends in excess of $20 million on preferred congressional candidates, nationwide, per political cycle. A vote to downsize military bases often means easy money for any candidate opposing the reductions.

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Second, military bases are often the primary economic driver in rural communities, employing many residents. These socioeconomic considerations make base closures not only unpopular among military-friendly politicians, but also on the main street of many congressional districts.

The economic concerns are well-founded, as Morin suggests that the majority of savings to be reaped by closures are in personnel rather than in property ownership and maintenance costs.

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Notwithstanding the potential for economic upheaval, Pete Potochney, acting assistant secretary of defense for installations, argues that Congress needs follow BRAC. "We are in a budget dilemma," said Potochney, "we need BRAC so that we’re not wasting money and resources that could be spent on facilities that are needed and on readiness."

Although BRAC is a "difficult political topic," Morin says the Defense Department continues to advocate it to "drive more combat capability out of each taxpayer dollar."

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