{
  "id": "R45705",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R45705",
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      "id": 597387,
      "date": "2019-04-25",
      "retrieved": "2019-12-20T19:21:07.939380",
      "title": "Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC): Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "Since 1977, statutory thresholds have effectively constrained the President\u2019s ability to close or realign major military installations in the United States. Congress has instead periodically granted temporary authorities\u2014known as a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)\u2014that have established independent commissions for the review and approval of basing changes submitted by the Secretary of Defense. These unique and transient authorities last expired on April 16, 2006. There have been five rounds of base closures: 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005.\nThough Congress has periodically adjusted the BRAC process to account for lessons learned, the modern framework has remained generally consistent with earlier rounds, and includes\nestablishment of an independent commission;\nreliance on objective and uniform criteria;\nGovernment Accountability Office (GAO) review and certification of Department of Defense (DOD) data;\ndeliberations designed to be transparent that include open hearings, solicitation of feedback, installation visits, and data available for public review; and\nrequirement that the final list of closure and realignment recommendations be accepted or rejected in their entirety.\nCongress has defined BRAC selection criteria in statute, thus requiring the Secretary to prioritize military value over cost savings. Additionally, Congress has required the Secretary to align the Department\u2019s recommendations with a comprehensive 20-year force structure plan. The commission may modify, reject, or add recommendations during its review before forwarding a final list to the President. \nAfter receiving the Commission\u2019s list of recommendations, the President may either accept the report in its entirety or seek to modify it by indicating disapproval and returning it to the commission for further evaluation. If the President accepts the commission\u2019s recommendations, they are forwarded to Congress. BRAC implementation begins by default unless Congress rejects the recommendations in their entirety within 45 days by enacting a joint resolution. During the implementation phase, DOD is required to initiate closures and realignments within two years and complete all actions within six years.\nThe BRAC process represents a legislative compromise between the executive and legislative branches wherein each shares power in managing the closure and realignment of military bases. The imposition of an independent, third-party mediator was intended to insulate base closings from political considerations by both branches that had complicated similar actions in the past. \nThis report provides background on the development of BRAC, describes its major elements and milestones, and outlines issues frequently cited in the context of new rounds, such as potential savings.",
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      "topics": [
        {
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          "id": 4778,
          "name": "Defense Budgets & Appropriations"
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  "topics": [
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}