NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Panel Backs Plan on Base Closings

A Senate panel endorsed the recommendations of the base closure commission to shut down 130 installations and scale back 45 others, as even lawmakers from hard-hit states backed the plan. The action by the Senate Armed Services Committee could mean the loss of thousands of jobs nationwide, especially in California, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia. The commission submitted its recommendations to President Clinton on July 1 and it took him less than 24 hours to approve the list. The list becomes final 45 working days after the President’s action, unless both houses of Congress reject the commission’s work.