Susan Davis: “In addition, the restoration of the 1 percent COLA reduction that was in the budget agreement and restored earlier this…”

“In addition, the restoration of the 1 percent COLA reduction that was in the budget agreement and restored earlier this year left the Department with an additional hole of $500 million for fiscal year 2015, and these savings will need to be paid for from other Department of Defense accounts. We must begin that discussion, and I hope that the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission will be the start of that. We know these are difficult times, and difficult decisions need to be made to protect and sustain our All-Volunteer Force. It has already been stated that ignoring these issues will only lead the Department to take significant cuts to our end strength and readiness. Despite these concerns though, Mr. Chairman, this bill deserves passage. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers), my friend and colleague, a member of the Armed Services Committee and the chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.”