Rod Grams: “I thank Chairman Warner for his help and leadership in accepting my amendment to help our National Guard and Reserves.…”

“I thank Chairman Warner for his help and leadership in accepting my amendment to help our National Guard and Reserves. Without his steadfast support for our military personnel, the changes being endorsed in my amendment would not be possible. In an attempt to maintain a strong national defense despite budget cuts, the President has increasingly asked the Guard and Reserves to make up the difference. Work days contributed by reservists have risen from 1 million days in 1992, to over 13 million days last year. If you look at the Armed Forces personnel participating in the Bosnia and Kosovo operations, 33 percent are members of the Guard and Reserves in Bosnia and 22 percent in Kosovo. The National Guard can provide many of the same services as the active duty personnel at a fraction of the cost. But what impact does this have on Guardsmen, Reservists, and their families? I support the total force concept, but I don't believe we can afford to balance DoD's budget on the backs of our citizen soldiers and airmen. That's why I introduced this amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, along with Senators McCain, Allard, Sessions, Ashcroft, Warner, and Levin. My amendment addresses quality of life issues.”