My home state, and the one I technically reside in, has been hit hard (job-wise) by base closings. Currently on the BARC chopping block is Willow Grove, which is used by the PA Air National Guard. Now, NIMBY stands, no Senator or Governor wants a base closing in their state.

However, Gov. Rendell (D), and GOP Sens. Santorum and Spector are using an interesting tactic:

nvoking the "militia clause" of the U.S. Constitution to prevent de-activation of the national guard's 111th Fighter Wing at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, names Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a defendant. It claims that federal law prohibits the changing, relocation or withdrawal of a National Guard unit without the approval of the governor of the state in which the unit is located.

Posted by Ryan S. on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 10:15 PM | Permalink |