Runyan’s Amendment to Prevent Unauthorized Military Base Changes

Shore area Washington Representative Jon Runyan is hoping to prevent the U.S. Senate from using money in the National Defense Authorization act of 2013 (H.R. 5854) to close or modify military installations.

Runyan's amendment to the massive defense spending package was recently approved by the house by a voice vote. He says it prohibits independent senate commissions' from making base closure and realignment decisions outside the normal BRAC process.

Runyan says "this is one of those amendments trying not to let the senate kind of back door us on this. If you're going to do it, you're going to go through the legislative process and everyone's going to have a say in it."

Runyan sees this as another step in protecting the mission at the Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst. In a press release he says "it's imperative that we remain vigilant and stay one step ahead of any efforts to impose a back-door BRAC through informal channels."

Congressman Runyan is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He serves as the Chairman of the Veteran Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.