Cord Byrd: “this amendment increases U.S. support for Plan Colombia. My amendment raises the cap on the number of U.S. military and…”

“this amendment increases U.S. support for Plan Colombia. My amendment raises the cap on the number of U.S. military and civilian personnel who can participate in Plan Colombia. My amendment fully supports Colombia's war against drug trafficking and narcoterrorists. The difference between this amendment and the administration proposal contained in the bill is that my amendment is intended to meet immediate requirements whereas the administration is projecting future requirements. My amendment increases the military and civilian caps from 400 to 500 each. The administration's proposal doubles the troop cap from 400 to 800 and increases the civilian cap from 400 to 600. By their own admission, that is far more than either the State or Defense Department need in Colombia next year. The administration wants flexibility. I believe Congress should insist on accountability and oversight. U.S. military forces are already stretched to the breaking point across the globe. U.S. troops in Iraq are being forced to extend their tours as a result of stop-loss orders. Prospects remain strong that thousands upon thousands of American troops will be needed to quell the violence in Iraq for years to come. This is not the time, Colombia is not the place, for yet another large increase in the deployment of U.S. forces overseas.”