FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2004
CONTACT: Kevin Schweers
SENATOR HUTCHISON DISCUSSES 2005 BRAC AT CHAMBER LUNCHEON
Updates Community Leaders on Congressional Agenda
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX -- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison today addressed the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, reflecting on the city's "proud military tradition," and updating them on the recently finalized 2005 BRAC criteria.
"I'm pleased to report that two of my main objections to the draft criteria have been addressed," Senator Hutchison, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction Subcommittee said. "The Pentagon has acknowledged the necessity of considering homeland security and overseas base factors in the 2005 BRAC."
The senator pointed to Naval Station Ingleside as an example of a military base that may also be used for homeland security purposes. "If Ingleside personnel can assist in patrolling the Gulf of Mexico, those assets should be taken into account during BRAC," she said.
Senator Hutchison also updated the Chamber on the 2004 congressional agenda, and highlighted the surface transportation reauthorization bill, which recently passed the Senate. "I voted against the transportation bill because it clearly shortchanges Texas," Senator Hutchison said. "I will not support any bill that does not restore fairness to the highway funding formula."
Under S. 1072, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), which passed the Senate last week, Texas would continue to receive just 90.5 cents back for every dollar in gasoline taxes sent to Washington, costing it hundreds of millions in highway funds. Other states receive between 92 and 95 cents on the dollar. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
#