Hagel Hints He May Utilize Obscure Law To Close Military Bases Without Congressional Approval

The Pentagon has made it clear it wants another round of base realignment and closure to shed excess infrastructure. Congress on the other hand has been adamant it wants no part in the plan, vowing to stop it before it even starts.

But can it? Or, can Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel move ahead with closing military installations without Congressional approval?

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"We think BRAC is a smart position to have, as you know we have called for it again, we're going to continue work through all this," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday. "I've got some options as Secretary of Defense in law ... through a section of Article 10."

A House staffer suggested last month that under a provision of a law dealing with the Department of Defense, Hagel could opt to close bases on his own and is only required to notify Congress beforehand, as opposed to asking permission.

House Armed Services Committee staffer Vickie Plunkett made the statements during the Association of the U.S. Army winter symposium held last month in Huntsville. She said Title 10 - the chapter of U.S. code that governs the Department of Defense - is a section that gives "the services authority to do closures and it only requires notification to Congress."

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http://blog.al.com/breaking/2014/03/pentagon_chief_hints_he_may_ut.html