Mike Levin: “The Senator from Georgia and the Senator from Arizona have identified a very critical unmet need. In fact, the Army has…”

“The Senator from Georgia and the Senator from Arizona have identified a very critical unmet need. In fact, the Army has already indicated it is going to try within its own funds to increase its end strength. So by the time we actually get to conference, we may find that they have already achieved what this amendment urges them to do and authorizes them to do. That is the point, No. 1. No. 2, it seems very clear from the answers of the Senator from Georgia that this is a discretionary matter--that it does not raise the floor; it raises the ceiling, unlike the House, which does raise the floor. The amendment of the Senator from Georgia raises the ceiling but leaves the floor where it is. Therefore, the discretion remains. Given those clear responses I think this amendment is something we should support because I think the responses leave the discretion with the Department of Defense, unlike the House bill. That makes this a conferenceable item.”