Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney is praising the Readiness Subcommittee's version of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act passed Friday because the group eliminated the Base Realignment and Closure process from the bill.

"For all intents and purposes, passage of the (subcommittee's version of the bill) signifies an official, on-record, bipartisan rejection of the plan," the Connecticut Democrat said in a statement late Friday. "From the moment it was floated as an idea, the shadow of BRAC has been a pointless distraction from the real and serious job at hand: producing a balanced approach to the nation's fiscal challenges that provides for a strong national defense.

"Going forward, southeastern Connecticut knows all too well that we must stay vigilant in defending (the Naval Submarine Base in Groton). Since taking office, I have worked every day to ensure that our nation's 'first and finest' submarine base is well positioned to carry out its core mission — the support and training of our submarine force."

Courtney is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and serves on the Readiness Subcommittee, which has primary jurisdiction over legislation proposing base closings.