Williams: “Now is not the time to gut essential programs for our warriors”
Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) delivered remarks on the House floor in response to recent statements by Army Secretary John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno that military readiness is staggeringly low due to budget constraints. Excerpts from Williams' remarks are below. The full speech can be viewed here.
"While there is waste and overlap in every federal agency – the Pentagon's budget not excluded – there is much to be said for Congress doing its primary job of governing…by passing a budget. For the last 4 years, we've seen the constraints that continuing resolution after continuing resolution has placed on our military.
"This is a terrifying reality given that only 2 months ago the President addressed Congress and the public asking for support for a military attack on Syria. We absolutely can't send our troops who are not trained, not equipped, and not prepared into harm's way. Our military readiness should never be threatened like this. As the world's super power, our armed forces must be ready to deploy thousands of troops should the need arise.
"As the military continues finding ways to operate under current spending levels, it is also downsizing in Afghanistan and preparing for future programs with no certainty of any financial stability… Other government agencies have bloated budgets with wasteful overlapping programs, fraudulent spending, and blatant abuse of taxpayer dollars. All the while, our military budget is being stripped to its bare bones.
"Texas' 25th District is home to Fort Hood – the Army's Premier installation to train and deploy heavy forces and one of the largest military installations in the world. Fort Hood ranks highest in terms of future capability and can support and sustain more than 50,000 soldiers and their families. I urge my colleagues in Congress to honor our commitment to these troops and put an end to the financial uncertainty in the military."
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