Kyrillos Resolution Asks For Reversal of Fort Monmouth Decision

A resolution sponsored by Senator Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) that urges the United States congress and the President of the United States to reverse the decision to close Fort Monmouth was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.  This resolution precedes an oversight hearing of the House Armed Services Committee readiness subcommittee that is scheduled to address the issue. 

            “Recent reports have revealed that the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) operated on faulty information and therefore was not in a position to make an informed and correct decision about closing the base,” said Kyrillos.  “The cost of moving Fort Monmouth’s facilities and operations to other locations in the country has skyrocketed from $780 million to approximately $1.5 billion.”

            The Department of Defense now estimates that the total cost of all the 2005 BRAC decisions, which were made with the intention of saving money, will be approximately $30.7 billion compared to the $22.3 billion originally approved the commission.  In addition, data shows that the closure of Fort Monmouth could contribute to a significant shortfall of scientists and engineers in the U.S. military research laboratories over the next two decades and could hamper the country’s ability to develop the technology to fight future wars.

            “This new information provides justification for the U.S. Congress and the President to realize a very serious mistake was made with the decision to close Fort Monmouth,” added Kyrillos.  “With this resolution we are asking that the decision be reversed.”

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