Bill would kill base closing plans

CongressDaily September 20, 2005

Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., on Tuesday introduced legislation that would shoot down the independent base closure commission's recommendations to shutter 22 major military facilities and realign 33 others.

LaHood has been particularly opposed to plans that would take aircraft from Air National Guard units, including those belonging to the 183rd Fighter Wing in his district.

Illinois lawmakers and others affected by the Air Guard recommendations across the country have lost a series of legal battles that hinged on whether the Pentagon has authority to take aircraft from the state-run units.

LaHood's legislation is the first measure introduced to stop base closures since President Bush approved the commission's report last week.

Congress has 45 days from last Thursday to pass a joint resolution disapproving the list in its entirety -- an unprecedented move not expected to succeed in this closure round. If a joint resolution fails, the commission's list will go into effect.

Although LaHood's close friend and colleague House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., has been openly critical of the commission's decisions affecting Illinois bases, LaHood's spokesman said the measure does not yet have any co-sponsors. LaHood, he said, "wanted to get it dropped as soon as possible."

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COMMENTS

  • Taxpayer, I've seen Air Guardsmen police rioting areas, participate in flood details, drive forklifts, everything the Army guard does. The fly boys, well, do ever do anything like the active duty guys? It's a bad bill, the Congressman needs to let it go, we have more pressing issues domestically. Phil Posted September 22, 2005 3:07 AM
  • And the political posturing begins. Rather than starting a bill that may or may not make it through the process in time to matter, why not attempt to convince Congress to just say no to the administration's closure list? Malcolm Nason Posted September 21, 2005 12:01 PM
  • Why should I pay so LaHood can buy votes by taking the airplanes that belong to the Air force for use by the state? LaHood needs to ask why a state needs an air National Guard at all! There is no reason! Do not confuse the Air National Guard (a govgernment mistake in the first place) with the Army National Guard that represents the old state militia concept. The Army National Guard is valuable and provides the resources to integrate highschools in Little Rock and protect against riots in chicago, Detroit, LA and DC, as well as to serve in disaster relief during floods and other disasters. I have yet to see the Air National Guard shoot people crossing the borders or attack rioters in any city in the USA. taxpayer Posted September 21, 2005 8:24 AM
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