Washington D.C. – U.S. House Armed Services Committee Member, Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) released the following statement after Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta announced that, as a result of the President’s insistence on deep cuts to our Defense department, he is requesting that two new rounds of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) be conducted in 2013 and 2015:

“Americans want a strong national defense and the President continues to ignore that.   The President is out of touch with that fact and the reality of the current threats around the world, including Iran.  This decision could put as many as 100,000 service personnel in the unemployment line and will have a serious and long-term impact on our economy and our national security.  While the President continues to insist on cutting funding for the men and women who protect our personal freedoms, he is ignoring the root of our economic problems: entitlement spending.  I intend to fight his decision every step of the way.

Rep. Scott specifically addressed Robins AFB, which is located in Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District, saying, “I will utilize my position on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness to protect Robins every step of the way.  At my invitation, several high ranking officials, both in the military and in Congress, have already seen first-hand the vital role that Robins plays in supporting the warfighter and securing our national defense.   I will be at every committee meeting and will work with General McMahon, as well as members of the Twenty-First Century Partnership, to protect Robins from any BRAC reductions.  I am confident that our entire Robins community will work together to ensure that Robins AFB remains an integral part of Georgia’s economy and our national defense for a very long time.” 

Representative Austin Scott is the only Republican from Georgia on the House Armed Services Committee.  He is also the only Member  from Georgia currently serving on the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Readiness.  The Readiness Subcommittee makes sure that our troops are properly trained and their equipment is properly maintained so they can succeed in their missions, and that they have the facilities and services they deserve when they return home.  Readiness Subcommittee Members are also specifically tasked with overseeing the BRAC process.