Just-Passed Defense Bill Bans Any Base Closures

WASHINGTON—With a 344-81 vote, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2810), which authorizes $696 billion in defense spending for fiscal 2018. The package prohibits any new round of base closures.
The bill will ultimately need to be reconciled with the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (S 1519), which has yet to receive a vote by the full Senate, NAFCU explained.
When considering the bill, the House rejected an amendment to eliminate a provision barring the Pentagon from beginning a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) – a win for those credit unions with a significant presence on a military base. Also, efforts failed within the
House Rules Committee to provide for consideration of an amendment allowing military banks to obtain rent-free space on military bases, NAFCU reported.
NAFCU said it will continue to follow this legislation and the Senate's defense spending bill.