House rejects BRAC for 2018

The U.S. House of Representatives voted down a defense policy bill provision July 13 that would have removed language preventing a new round of base closures for 2018. Lawmakers voted 175-248 to reject the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) amendment. The amendment would have removed a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provision barring a new BRAC round, a roadblock included in the bill for years. The vote goes against the White House and Pentagon’s desire to close billions of dollars' worth of unused or underused facilities. An Office of Management and Budget assessment "strongly urges” Congress to provide BRAC authorization, required for a commission to be formed. (Source: The Hill 07/13/17)