Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney said Friday there is no imminent threat to close the Navy’s Groton submarine base unless there is congressional approval.
Courtney, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee whose 2nd District includes the sub base, cited a letter from the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee.
In his letter, Courtney said the chairman, U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Texas, confirmed the Defense Department lacks authority to unilaterally close military installations that employ more than 300 civilians.
Both panels have jurisdiction over any legislation that would propose closing U.S. bases, Courtney said.
Courtney said he wrote to Ortiz on Sept. 3, expressing concern with Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ comments regarding cuts to the defense budget.
Closing the sub base would be a setback to Connecticut, which has funded several projects at the base that will improve its infrastructure and partner with the Navy to support the installation.
“Contrary to misleading public comments in Connecticut,” Courtney said in a statement, “there is no legislative effort from the Congress or the Pentagon to authorize base closures. Such claims were refuted completely by today’s unambiguous clarification. Still, we will remain vigilant in our defense of the Sub Base — a paramount responsibility.”
