Bush nominates Bilbray for base-closure committee

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, March 16, 2005 | 9:35 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush officially nominated former U.S. Rep. James Bilbray to sit on a nine-member commission that will oversee the next round of military base closings.

Bush completed his picks for the commission Tuesday, the same day the Senate Armed Services Committee began confirmation hearings for former Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi to head the commission.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., recommended Bilbray, who is also a Democrat, for the position. Federal law says the president must consult with the minority leaders in the House and Senate for one appointment each on the commission. Each nominee much be confirmed by the Senate.

Bilbray, who served four terms in the House, said he was happy about his nomination and looked forward to confirmation hearings. Through his past work on the House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, he said he understands why the department evaluates the bases to help get costs down.

"I know there is a necessity to close of some of these bases," Bilbray said. "Some of them have been around since World War II."

The commission will ultimately review the defense secretary's upcoming recommendations for the Base Realignment and Closure process, known commonly as BRAC. Under a 1990 law, the Pentagon will recommend bases it thinks should close or have its missions changed by May 16.

The commissioners can change the recommended closings and will hold regional meeting to get public input on which bases will be affected and then forward its own recommendations to the president by Sept. 8.

"Hardly anyone ever says 'close my base,' " said Bilbray, who anticipates a lot of traveling during his time on the commission, if confirmed.

Bush will have until Sept. 23 to accept or reject the recommendations. If accept, Congress has 45 days to reject the recommendations or they become final.

Bilbray said he doubts Nellis Air Force base or military facilities in Indian Spring or Fallon would be on a recommended closure list, but he will not advocate for Nevada's bases.

"I am not there to protect Nevada's interests or anyone's interests. I am not going to make a commitment that I'm going to save Nevada bases," Bilbray said. "That is not the kind of attitude anyone should be coming to the commission with."