Here's some of U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye questioning the Pentagon decision to close Joint Forces Command.
Again, Daily Press military reporter Hugh Lessig is in Washington covering the events so look for more coverage in tomorrow's Daily Press.
The hearing came just 24 hours after Nye, Governor McDonnell and the Hampton Roads Congressional Delegation met privately with Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn III and General James Cartwright at the Pentagon to discuss the very same issue, again receiving no substantive explanations or rationale regarding the proposal.
Today's hearing, however, made considerable progress in two areas. During Nye's questioning, Dep. Sec. Lynn committed to soliciting Congressional input by arranging a meeting between Nye and other Members and Secretary Gates before the implementation of any plan for JFCOM. Additionally, Gen. Cartwright, the only active servicemember testifying today, went to considerable lengths to acknowledge that all options regarding JFCOM's future remain on the table, including maintaining the status quo, saying “When we look at the full range of courses of action, status quo is an option,” and "I do not feel because the Secretary set an objective of eliminating Joint Forces Command that that option [status quo] is removed from us for consideration”
In addition, Deputy Secretary of Defense Lynn made the commitment to setup a face to face meeting between Nye and HASC members before any plans to disestablish JFCOM were implemented.
Since Secretary Gates' announcement early last month, Nye, Governor McDonnell, and the Hampton Roads Congressional Delegation have repeatedly asked for analyses regarding the proposal -- including specific cost-savings, and assurances that no detriment to military jointness will occur should the elimination of JFCOM take place. Thus far, no answers have been provided.
Chairman Skelton also voiced his disappointment with the Defense Department's lack of due diligence, and reiterated his commitment to maintaining the military installation's joint functions.
"The opposition voiced by Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon and other members of the Committee gives added strength to our fight" Nye said. "And I look forward continuing to work closely with the Chairman and the Ranking Member to block this botched plan. Not a single person from the Pentagon can explain exactly how and why this proposal was made, we will continue to demand answers and push to keep JFCOM open. It is too important to our national security and too important to our local economies to do anything but work together and fight."
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