Support the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Process

Download a .pdf version of the actual letter here.

June 2, 2005

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Rumsfeld,

Download a .pdf version of the actual letter here.

June 2, 2005

The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000

Dear Secretary Rumsfeld,

As soon as the proposed list of base realignment and closing recommendations was announced, several members of Congress ran to the closest open microphone to voice their opposition, declaring that the military facility in their congressional district or state was invaluable to fighting the war on terrorism.

On behalf of the millions of members and supporters represented by our respective organizations, we are writing in support of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) and are ready to offer our assistance to make sure the process is completed in a timely manner. We will continue to let Congress know that we want and expect BRAC to move forward without undue interruptions.

New defense challenges are facing our country and our troops as we fight the war on terrorism. Our armed forces are confronting a different enemy than those fought during
the twentieth century. Many of the bases that are on the list of recommendations for the BRAC Commission were designed and built to address these prior conflicts and therefore are either obsolete or in need of realignment. Our military should not be forced to maintain an obsolete facility simply because powerful members in Congress wish it so.

Instead, our military must be given the tools and finances it needs to address any new conflicts it will face for the next 20 years or more. The Department of Defense believes BRAC 2005 will save approximately $7 billion annually. These are dollars that could be used to support our troops more efficiently and provide them the equipment they need to win the war on terrorism.

We know in the next few months you and the BRAC Commission will face a loud chorus of objections to what we understand is a necessary and important process to close down or realign outdated military facilities. Be assured our respective organizations and taxpayers are with you as BRAC moves forward and we will continue to educate the public on the importance of this process.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you or the BRAC Commission in its important work.

Sincerely,

Grover Norquist
President, Americans for Tax Reform

David Keene
President, American Conservative Union

David Keating
Executive Director, Club for Growth

Thomas Schatz,
President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

Matt Kibbe
President and CEO, FreedomWorks

John Berthoud
President, National Taxpayers Union