Susan Collins: “I must say I was shocked with what I saw. We saw soldiers living three in a very cramped space, 55 square feet per…”

“I must say I was shocked with what I saw. We saw soldiers living three in a very cramped space, 55 square feet per soldier, housing that is an embarrassment to the United States of America. Mr. President, there is an old statement that nothing is too good for our troops. Well, "nothing" appears to be exactly what they are getting in some parts of this country. We need to recommit ourselves, if we are going to solve our recruitment and retention problems, to providing quality housing, competitive pay, and good health and retirement benefits to our men and women in uniform. For that reason, I applaud the President's initiative and his announcements this week of his commitment to remedy the pay, housing, and benefit problems that were so evident on this trip.”