In the late 1980s, DOD decided to close excess military bases because changing national security requirements had resulted in a military base structure that was larger than needed. Consequently, the Congress enacted base realignment and closure (BRAC) legislation that instituted base closure rounds in 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995. For the 1991, 1993, and 1995 rounds, the legislation required DOD to complete all closures and realignments within 6 years from the date the President sent the BRAC Commission's recommendations and his approval to the Congress. Closure and realignment actions for the 1988 and 1991 rounds were required to be completed by September 30,1995, and July 10,1997, respectively. Actions for the 1993 and 1995 rounds are to be completed by July 3, 1999, and July 15, 2001, respectively. The Congress established two base closure accounts to fund the closure rounds. The first account, the DOD base closure account, funded BRAC activities for the 1988 round and the second account, the DOD base closure account 1990, funded BRAC activities for the 1991,1993, and 1995 rounds. DOD's authority to obligate 1988 base closure account funds to close or realign bases expired on September 30,1995. After that date, funds in the 1988 account ceased to be available for new obligations and may only be used to adjust and liquidate obligations already charged to the account. Unobligated funds in the account must remain there until the Congress transfers them or the account is closed. According to DOD officials, the account will be closed on September 30, 2000.