MR. CHAIRMAN -- I am concerned with the ramifications of this amendment. If this is approved, we will be endorsing the President=s decision to contravene the 1995 BRAC law and giving the green light to future administrations to do the same thing in subsequent rounds of base closings.

We are engaged today in a regional battle because the President refused to implement the very law he signed. Congress must have the fortitude to stand up and force the President to abide by the law and not give special treatment to two bases which were to be closed under the last BRAC.

There is a lot of talk these days about forming BRAC-like commissions on a whole host of topics. The reason is that BRAC worked, or at least it used to work. Independent, objective, fair -- these are words that were used to describe BRAC. Can we really apply these terms anymore?

I urge my colleagues not to give the President a free ride on this matter. You had to vote yes or no on BRAC without conditions. Don't hold the President to a lower standard. Vote No!