DoD, Capitol Hill Square Off for BRAC Fight
In 1991, a Democratic Congressman from California fought hard to keep an Army base open in his congressional district. While he lost that fight and Fort Ord was forced to close, the lawmaker’s political career did not end there. Leon Panetta went on to become director of the Office of Management and Budget and chief of staff to President Clinton, during which time two more base realignment and closure (BRAC) rounds took place. In 2005, during what some people call “the mother
Review Bases; Start Overseas
Any serious effort to reduce federal spending and the national debt has to include reductions in military spending simply because, at a face value of more than $705 billion a year, it covers about 20 percent of the federal budget. An unfolding controversy in Western Pennsylvania demonstrates how difficult it will be to cut defense, however, and calls for a comprehensive approach. The Air Force wants to cut spending partially by reducing the force by 286 aircraft. It announced
Don’t Ban Earmarks–Fix Them
This week’s Washington Post investigative feature on congressional earmarking highlights serious—but fixable—problems with the earmark vetting process. Tuesday’s article identified $300 million in member-directed funds for projects located so close to properties of the sponsoring lawmakers that they may have benefited financially from the funding. Wednesday’s article named 16 members of Congress who had ordered earmarks for organizations or businesses that employ their own fa
Some in GOP Want Return to Earmarks
A growing number of Republicans want to lift the earmark ban that has been embraced by President Obama and Congress. The GOP lawmakers say the moratorium should be reconsidered after the 2012 election, when there is a chance that Republicans will have control of the House and the Senate. The earmark issue divides Senate Republicans, and thus is usually not discussed during their weekly meetings. But it is again front and center because of an effort spearheaded by Sens. Pat To
920th Rescue Wing Crews Swoop in to Scoop Up Brevard Boaters
The swampy, winding canals lined with dormant trees just west of Interstate 95 were a long way from the powdery desert terrain of Afghanistan. But for Air Force Col. Jeff Macrander, easing the 22,000-pound HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter down on a small tract of land in the marshy area was second nature, as he and three members of the 920th Rescue Wing combat-search-and-rescue crew were called to help civilians badly injured in a Tuesday night airboat accident. “It was a lot bett
