Contact: Josh Holly-202.226.3988
House Armed Services Committee Republicans Urge Speaker Pelosi to Act on Supplemental Spending Bill
Washington D.C. – Today, House Armed Services Committee Republicans called on Speaker Pelosi to work with the House Appropriations Committee to move the Fiscal Year 2008 Supplemental for the Global War on Terrorism without further delay.
During testimony before the House Armed Services Committee this afternoon, the Vice Chief of Staff for the Army, General Richard Cody, underscored that the lack of a supplemental spending bill has a direct impact on readiness. General Cody also outlined the ramifications for the Army if the additional funding is not provided soon.
The text of a letter to the Speaker follows:
Dear Madam Speaker:
The time has come for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Fiscal Year 2008 supplemental spending bill to pay for operations associated with the Global War on Terrorism. At an Armed Services Committee hearing today, the Vice Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army detailed the impact that our inaction could have on the readiness of our ground forces if we do not act quickly.
In his testimony, General Richard Cody noted the following:
· “The Army runs out of pay for Active Duty and National Guard Soldiers in June 2008;
· “The Army runs out of O&M [operation and maintenance funding] for the Active component in early July and for the Guard in late June;
· “Two Stryker BCTs [brigade combat teams] may not receive hull protection kits before they deploy;
· “Armored Security Vehicles could face a break in production;
· “Army National Guard will not receive 10 CH-47 F model helicopters;
· “Converting and existing BCTs will not receive the Bridge to Future Networks communications systems; and
· “The Army will be unable to upgrade and construct facilities for returning Wounded Warriors at Forts Drum, Campbell, Stewart, Carson, Hood, Riley and Polk.”
Republicans agree with Army officers when they state that the “Army is not broken,” but we recognize that our forces are stressed. Additionally, we understand that immediate action on the Fiscal Year 2008 Supplemental would ease the stress on our ground forces. Madame Speaker, all Members of Congress are concerned about the readiness of our military forces, and none want to put our brave military personnel in danger.
Understanding that continued inaction directly impacts our military’s ability to improve readiness, we urge you to work with the House Appropriations Committee to move the Fiscal Year 2008 Supplemental to the House floor for a vote without further delay.
Sincerely,
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ)
Rep. John McHugh (R-NY)
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA)
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC)
Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC)
Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO)
Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
Rep. John Kline (R-MN)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY)
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)
Cc: The Honorable John Boehner; Republican Leader
The Honorable Ike Skelton; Chairman, House Armed Services Committee
The Honorable David Obey; Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
The Honorable Jerry Lewis; Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee
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