WASHINGTON (AP) – As their parties bicker over Senate judicial nominations, a group of senators is working together to delay the Pentagon process that has targeted military bases for closure.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., planned to introduce legislation Wednesday that would delay the base closing process until most troops return from the Iraq war and the Pentagon issues its Quadrennial Defense Review, which will evaluate the Pentagon’s future strategy.

It would also nullify the list of base closings issued May 13.

Thune, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is considering an attempt to add the bill to legislation that authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force base is among the facilities the Pentagon has recommended by closed.

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., acknowledged Wednesday that the legislation will be an “uphill political climb” as the Bush administration is certain to oppose it.

“I would put this in the category of doing everything we can,” he said.

Thune’s office says the bill has some powerful Republican sponsors, however, including former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens of Alaska and Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe.

All of those members’ states have major military bases that have been targeted for closure.

Snowe and Collins said in a statement that it makes no sense to close and realign military bases and support offices given the national security needs and while U.S. forces are in the process of returning from overseas bases. They said the loss of Maine bases would also devastate the state’s economy.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., will introduce a similar bill in the House this week, her office said.

An independent commission is reviewing the Pentagon’s list of recommendations and will decide whether to change it. In past years, about 85 percent of bases have remained on the list.

The recommendations then go to President Bush before being submitted to Congress for approval.