Kay Granger: “this bill before us eliminates $3.1 billion that would support the plan, approved by this Congress, to reposition our…”

“this bill before us eliminates $3.1 billion that would support the plan, approved by this Congress, to reposition our military forces throughout the world, a plan that is integral to our strategy to win the war on terror. The cut in funding of over $3 billion has been termed devastating by Army officials. It eliminates the support for our military and their families, may I remind us, in a time of war. Let me give you a specific example. Fourteen thousand troops and their families, including 4,000 children, are scheduled to reposition from Germany back to the States. Cutting funding for support for this plan leaves our senior military leaders with the Hobson's choice of either moving just a few units or moving our servicemembers and their families on the bases with inadequate infrastructure and training facilities. It prevents soldiers from having the type of training facilities they need to prepare for war. It will create an uncertainty about whether their children are able to attend adequate schools. It puts in jeopardy medical treatment facilities that our military members and their families deserve access to and can force our troops into temporary housing. Mr. Speaker, we are at war. Are we willing to cut support for those who fight this war? I say no, and I will vote ``no.'' This bill shortchanges our troops and their families and inhibits our ability to train and prepare our troops and our Nation for future attacks.”