U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton), called today’s BRAC announcement “profoundly disappointing” and vowed to continue to emphasize that Ft. Monmouth is essential for both homeland security and military efforts abroad. 

    By a vote of 6 to 2, with one abstention, the Commission voted not to reverse of strike the Army’s recommendations to close Ft. Monmouth.

    Then by a vote of 8 to 0, with one abstention, the commission amended the recommendation to close Fort Monmouth by putting new conditions on the Army before they can enact the closure. The Commission makes clear that Fort Monmouth should not close if the ability to support the military or anti-terrorism operations in the War on Terror is undermined by the decision. 

    “The fact that the Commission adopted a motion that acknowledges defects in the Pentagon’s case and underscores the specific concerns we raised about disruption, brain drain, costs and redundancy, suggests to a considerable extent that we won the argument, but failed to win the verdict,” said Smith. 

    “It’s unfortunate that both the Pentagon and a majority of the BRAC Commissioners missed an opportunity to expand jointness with the Megabase and save taxpayer dollars.

    “There is a sliver of hope for Ft. Monmouth owing to the conditions contained in the amendment,” he said. “It is obvious that the Army did not meet those conditions today and I remain extremely skeptical that they will meet them in the future. 

    "My heart goes out to those whose jobs are now on the line and I want them to know that I will continue to fight and press forward with the compelling merits of our case.”