Christopher Shays: “At this time we bring forth an amendment that seeks to have our allies pay more of the share of supporting troops that…”

“At this time we bring forth an amendment that seeks to have our allies pay more of the share of supporting troops that we have stationed overseas. Presently Japan spends over $3.7 billion a year in direct contributions to the United States to pay for the nonsalaried costs of our troops in the Japanese theater. The total amount, Mr. Chairman, is almost $4.7 billion when we combine it with in-kind contributions. Korea pays 63 percent of our nonpersonnel costs, our nonsalaried costs. They contribute a total of $1.8 billion, and in direct contributions, $359 million for 37,000 troops. In Japan, we have 45,000 troops. Europe, on the other hand, contributes 24 percent of the nonpersonnel costs, $2 billion; but that is quite misleading, because for the 116,000 troops, only $46 million of the amount is in direct cash contribution. Here we have Japan that contributes in direct payment $3.7 billion, Korea $359 million, and all the European nations $46 million. Our amendment seeks to have the President of the United States negotiate with our European allies and have them pay a greater amount of the nonsalaried costs of our maintaining troops in Europe.”