Granger Says Omnibus Bill Hurts Military, Their Families and Our National Security

[Press Release from Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth)]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth), Vice Chair of the Republican Conference, today voted against an Omnibus bill (H.J.Res. 20) drafted by the new Democratic Leadership that cuts significant funding for global and national military repositioning, and military training and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“This bill cuts 3.1 billion for military realignments already taking place both nationally and globally. These changes affect our military and their families at every level and you simply cannot pullout a chunk of funding out of a few places and think the whole structure will be fine. It will fall and collapse,” said Granger.

Granger aired her concerns about the bill’s funding cuts on the House floor today, saying the money is used to help support military families, and the infrastructure that supports those families. She cited the example of the 14,000 troops and their 4,000 children members that will be transferred from Germany to Fort Bliss, Texas. The massive funding cut puts into question whether there will be enough money for military personnel to have the training facilities they need, the same health care access and adequate schools to send their children.

“We are talking about tens of thousands of soldiers and their families already in transition who we’re now telling ‘you’re still going to be transferred to the base in Texas, but we might not have enough funding to properly take care of you and your family ,” said Granger.

All four members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrote a letter recently to Members of Congress saying “disruptions in resources will cause delays and desynchronize these moves . This, in turn, can disrupt our force deployment schedules which ultimately degrades readiness while increasing the burden on service members and their families.”

“Is this the kind of treatment we give our men and women sacrificing their lives in order to keep us safe here at home? I understand that the leading Democrat responsible for drafting this bill has promised the money will be there in the future, but a wink and a nod is not good enough for our troops and their families. We owe them more than that,” said Granger.

In addition to the massive cuts to the military realignment plan, the Omnibus bill cuts in half funding for Afghanistan where Coalition forces are still trying to quell insurgent Taliban fighters and ramp up construction of roads, power and rural reconstruction. It also only includes $40 million for Iraq reconstruction compared to the President’s budget request of $709 million.

“This bill hurts our troops, their families and our country. I say no. I voted no,” said Granger.