Congresswoman Kay Granger
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Last month I shared with you my concern regarding the potentially harmful effects to the National Guard resulting from the Armys plan to transfer all Apache helicopters from the National Guard to the active Army and reduce Army National Guard end-strength. This plan called the Aviation Restructuring Initiative was hastily put together by the Army and requires a thorough review.
As a result of the Armys proposal Congress established the National Commission on the Future of the Army to make an assessment of the size and force structure of the Armys active and reserve components. The Commission will specifically examine the transfer of Army National Guard AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the Army National Guard to the Regular Army. The Commission will issue its report to Congress next February.
I believe that the Army should not be allowed to make irreversible changes to the National Guard before Congress has a clear picture of the full impact of these changes. During the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Appropriations bill markup I introduced an amendment that would pause the changes to the Guard until Congress has had a chance to review their impacts. I was pleased that so many of my colleagues both Republican and Democrat joined me in voicing their support for my amendment.
This week that broad support turned into action. Joined by Congressmen Steve Womack and Keith Rothfus I authored a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee asking that they prohibit the Army from taking the National Guards Apaches and stop reductions in Army Guard end-strength and full-time support until Fiscal Year 2017. This will give the Commission on the Future of the Army time to complete its study and Congress time to review their findings and respond appropriately.
I am proud to report that over 200 Members of Congress signed onto our bipartisan letter to preserve the capabilities of the National Guard. These citizen-soldiers are battle-tested and combat proven. They have been an indispensable operational force throughout thirteen years of constant conflict and they have shown that a strong Guard helps make a strong Army. We owe it to them to thoughtfully review any proposal before allowing irreversible policies to be implemented.
As Vice-Chairwoman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Americas security is my top priority. Ensuring the capabilities of the National Guard is vitally important to that security. You can be certain that I will continue to keep you informed on this issue.
