Thursday, November 17, 2005
Press Release: Some House Dems criticize Republican cuts to defense
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the Office of Representative David Obey (D-WI)
The House Republican’s budget proposal strike a
devastating blow to the US military’s ability to
continue to function effectively in a dangerous and
uncertain world. It wastes scarce resources on
ineffective and ill-conceived boondoggles and pet
projects while utterly betraying our responsibility to
the men and women who risk their lives in service to
America.
The decision to maintain the current scheduled
fielding date for the Future Combat System may be
politically easy but reflects an utter denial of the
technological reality. Innovation and experimentation
are the keys to maintaining American military
dominance, which is why the Democratic budget supports
the continued research and development of the Future
Combat System. Representative John Murtha (D-PA)
remarked, “Activating this program before it can
possibly work effectively, however, as the Republican
budget proposes, is not only wasteful but endangers
the very people it is designed to support.”
The Republicans’ egregious cuts to military health
benefits place our armed forces personnel in further
peril by putting them in the position of choosing
between continuing their service and providing for
their families. The Republican budget proposal to
recruit an additional 40,000 personnel for the Army is
absurd given their clear disregard for those who
serve. Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) commented, “It
is unconscionable to request of our citizens that they
volunteer themselves for dangerous duty if we will not
support them both in the field and at home.”
The House Democratic Budget keeps the American
military strong in capability and morale. It is
well-suited to our nation’s protection now and in the
future. As Representatives, entrusted with the
security and well being of all Americans, we each have
a moral imperative to support our Armed Forces. That
the Administration and House Republicans have
forgotten this is deeply troubling.
From the Office of Representative David Obey (D-WI)
The House Republican’s budget proposal strike a
devastating blow to the US military’s ability to
continue to function effectively in a dangerous and
uncertain world. It wastes scarce resources on
ineffective and ill-conceived boondoggles and pet
projects while utterly betraying our responsibility to
the men and women who risk their lives in service to
America.
The decision to maintain the current scheduled
fielding date for the Future Combat System may be
politically easy but reflects an utter denial of the
technological reality. Innovation and experimentation
are the keys to maintaining American military
dominance, which is why the Democratic budget supports
the continued research and development of the Future
Combat System. Representative John Murtha (D-PA)
remarked, “Activating this program before it can
possibly work effectively, however, as the Republican
budget proposes, is not only wasteful but endangers
the very people it is designed to support.”
The Republicans’ egregious cuts to military health
benefits place our armed forces personnel in further
peril by putting them in the position of choosing
between continuing their service and providing for
their families. The Republican budget proposal to
recruit an additional 40,000 personnel for the Army is
absurd given their clear disregard for those who
serve. Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) commented, “It
is unconscionable to request of our citizens that they
volunteer themselves for dangerous duty if we will not
support them both in the field and at home.”
The House Democratic Budget keeps the American
military strong in capability and morale. It is
well-suited to our nation’s protection now and in the
future. As Representatives, entrusted with the
security and well being of all Americans, we each have
a moral imperative to support our Armed Forces. That
the Administration and House Republicans have
forgotten this is deeply troubling.
posted by Leslie H # 12:49 PM 
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