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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) and U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) sent a letter today to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro asking him to clarify the Army's claims of a significant savings stemming from the closure of Fort Monmouth in the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) FY 2009 budget request. The lawmakers believe an examination of these figures is needed, due to the Army's miscalculated data during the BRAC process.
April 1, 2008
Gene Dodaro
Acting Comptroller General
Government Accountability Office
Room 7100
441 G St., NW
Washington, DC 20548
Dear Acting Comptroller General Dodaro,
We are writing today to request clarification and analysis of cost savings data within the Department of Defense’s fiscal year 2009 budget request for the closure of Fort Monmouth in New Jersey.
In the recently released budget request, the Army’s data claims a significant amount of savings over the next several fiscal years stemming from the closure of Fort Monmouth, particularly in the areas of base operations and personnel. For example, the Army claims a total savings of $312.654 million in base operations from now until fiscal year 2011. Part of base operations includes sustaining mission capability, which, if anything, should be more costly as the Army transitions from Fort Monmouth.
Additionally, the budget request claims the Army will be saving over $100 million on civilian and military personnel salary from now until the end of the 2011 fiscal year. It should be clarified how these personnel shifts will be accomplished when the Army looks to add a significant number of C4ISR positions at Aberdeen. Further, if military personnel are being shifted to a different base, your agency has made it clear that these shifts should not be considered cost savings.
We would appreciate a detailed verification of this Army budget request. Throughout the BRAC process, the Army has miscalculated and misrepresented data to fit its goals, therefore an examination of these figures is needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
Congressman Rush Holt
Congressman Chris Smith
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg
Senator Robert Menendez
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