Cosponsored by Sen. Hutchison; Passes by 93-1 Vote
WASHINGTON Today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) voted to pass an amendment that she cosponsored to increase the U.S. Armys active-duty force by 30000 soldiers by 2012. The Senate approved the amendment by a vote of 93-1.
We are wearing out the National Guard and Reserve forces through constant deployments" Sen. Hutchison said. Our Guardsmen and Reservists are doing a great job but they are being stretched to the point of breaking because we dont have enough active duty forces.
Im pleased to be a cosponsor of this amendment giving the Secretary of Defense the authority to augment our active duty Army personnel by 30000 troops over the next three years. This will improve the Armys operational capacity and relieve some of the stress on our military personnel and their families."
The amendment provides the Secretary of Defense the authority to increase the Armys active duty end strength for fiscal years 2010 2011 and 2012 by 30000 additional soldiers. If the Secretary exercises this authority these additional troops will relieve stress on United States military personnel at a time when the total number of deployed soldiers is increasing.
At a recent hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee General James Cartwright Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the Defense Department leadership is now weighing an increase in Army end strength by 15000 to 25000 in fiscal year 2010.
