House, Senate conferees remain divided on overseas bases

House and Senate appropriators met Wednesday to hammer out a compromise on outstanding basing issues in the fiscal 2004 Military Construction appropriations bill, but the two sides remain divided on funding for overseas basing projects in Europe and South Korea.

House Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Joseph Knollenberg, R-Mich., offered a compromise to Senate Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and ranking member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that cut funding for some overseas projects. But the two senators asked for more time to consider funding needs for two key naval air stations in Europe.

Both senators have questioned the wisdom of spending funds on overseas bases before the Defense Department has a chance to complete a thorough review of its future military needs there. The ongoing study is expected to recommend a major overhaul of the U.S. overseas basing structure, particularly in Europe and South Korea.

Knollenberg said he was sympathetic to the Senate's concerns but emphasized the need to wrap things up by Thursday morning. But Hutchison held him at arms length, recommending a meeting later in the day to discuss further the two outstanding basing issues.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young, R-Fla., and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, reminded the panel that if a resolution cannot be reached by Thursday, they would assume management of the bill, as directed by the House and Senate leadership.