WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmakers say they oppose a new round of base closings in the United States and are challenging Defense Department officials to provide tangible evidence of the need to reduce the military's number of installations.
During testimony Thursday before a House subcommittee, a Pentagon official would not say whether the Obama administration's yet-to-be submitted budget for 2014 would include a formal request for more base closings.
But John Conger, acting deputy undersecretary for installations and environment, said the Pentagon does not want to waste money maintaining facilities that are unnecessary due to a reduction in the number of U.S. forces.
Republican Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia says he's yet to see any compelling proof of the need for more base closings. He's the chairman of the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee.
