Panel Overrules Feds on New England Bases

[eckloss]

Panel Overrules Feds on New England Bases By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
36 minutes ago



Overruling the Pentagon on two of its biggest requests, a commission reviewing base closings voted to keep open a shipyard and a submarine base in New England that military planners wanted to shut down.

The panel also spared three other major facilities, in Texas, California and Louisiana, against the Pentagon's wishes.

But it was New England that got arguably the biggest victories of the day]http://www.defenselink.mil/brac/[/url]

Base closing commission]http://www.brac.gov[/url]

[tom dougherty]

Wednesday began a three-day series

Wednesday began a three-day series of votes planned before the commission sends its final report next month to President Bush, who could make his own changes. Congress also will get the chance to reject the plan after Bush considers it. Lawmakers haven't done that in previous rounds.......The president can accept the report or order the commission to make changes.

Just a minute, here. My understanding was that the President and Congress can either accept or reject the findings of the BRAC in toto. This makes it sounds as if Bush can order the BRAC to change parts of their revised closure list. My understanding of the process is that the BRAC makes the final determination of the list, and the President or Congress can say Yea or Nay to the entire list. PERIOD. I don'tthink the President can go in and order specific changes....