I continue to be very troubled that DOD is awarding this contract--it's taxpayer funded, $35 billion competition.
The President's budget for this year, 2011, doesn't include any investments in military construction at Fairchild Air Force Base.
In the State of Washington, we're very interested in adding a Stryker Brigade Combat Team to the Army National Guard.
If we didn't have the employer support that we've got out there today, we wouldn't have a National Guard.
If we need to be doing more, in terms of support services, outreach, whatever, I think we really need to focus on that issue.
But, we've been talking about this for a long time, so I'm frustrated that we're not doing better than we are today.
Eighty percent of our force is what we call a traditional Guard force.
I think that's fair. But, we still have a big problem out there.
I am concerned for these soldiers mental and emotional well-being as they are returning from serving their country to possible unemployment ...
Yes, more soldiers are coming forward to seek treatment.
This program is a valuable tool for equipping and training our soldiers and family members to maximize their potential.
We have a lot of families out there who have sacrificed a heck of a lot in a very tough economic climate.
I think it's a policy that we need to look at and really focus on.
I think it's extremely important.
Still, I am still very concerned about the health and welfare of our service members with visible and invisible wounds.
I am committed to giving our servicemembers every resource they need to bring a quick and decisive end to the Taliban and the other insurgen...
Does the DOD have any plans to address the potential loss of U.S. capability?
I have another question for Secretary Gates, but I think all of us are watching this very closely.
