The Nation - News from March 10, 1989

A plan to close or scale back nearly 40 major military bases across the country cleared its first congressional hurdle, winning the approval of a House subcommittee. Congress was given 45 days starting March 1 to reject the entire plan, as recommended by a government commission in December and approved by Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci before he left office in January. Otherwise the Pentagon automatically will begin the process of closing bases next year. Although Congress is not required to act, the issue has stirred enough controversy that a House floor vote on whether to accept or reject it is nearly certain. The House Armed Services subcommittee on military installations and facilities voted, 13 to 1, in favor of the plan.