Congressman says military base closures may be considered

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A congressman in Virginia says Congress may consider a proposal to allow military base closings but only if localities approve.

The Virginian-Pilot reports U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman said Thursday that he would support a proposal addressing the military’s concern of money being wasted on unnecessary facilities. He said the plan would be limited to small bases or “tangential facilities” identified by the Pentagon. He says communities would have to agree to the closures.

The Pilot reports that Hampton Roads officials and lawmakers historically have been wary about the idea of military base closures. The region has 40 percent of its economy tied to defense and other federal spending. Wittman says the plan could be an amendment to the 2019 defense spending bill.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com