The House is working on the military budget for 2018, and the Pentagon is not pleased. Not only does the plan fall short of the "historic" boost in spending promised by President Trump, but the proposal doesn't even include one of the military's own suggestions for saving money.
There's a reason for that: The Pentagon's proposal--a new commission to look into base closures and realignments--is politically toxic. Nevertheless, for reasons of both fiscal prudence and national security, Congress needs to consider a new round of closings.
Closing some bases entirely and shrinking others can save real money, even by Pentagon standards: While shutting bases costs money up front, the Defense Department says the five major rounds undertaken since 1988 have saved around $12 billion a year.
The main obstacle to such changes isn't fiscal, but political. Bases bring money into local economies, and House members, especially, dread the prospect of losing any in their districts.
The good news is that the Senate Armed Services Committee will be working on its military policy bill this week, and both Chairman John McCain, and the ranking Democrat, Jack Reed, favor looking into another round of closings.
Editorial on 06/29/2017