House Armed Services Committe
Subcommittee Chairman Ortiz' Opening Statement --May 09, 2007
"The Readiness Subcommittee package before us today reflects our growing concerns about the readiness posture of our armed forces.
"Our service members -- and their equipment -- have been stretched by extended combat operations, and the strain is evident in declining readiness ratings, shortfalls in training and difficulties equipping our forces. These problems have grown to immense proportions, and something must be down to reverse the decline and rebuild our military.
"This mark is a step in that direction.
"Some of these significant readiness provisions include policy initiatives and investments that will help restore the readiness posture of our military. Our subcommittee added funding for readiness - including $250 million for unfunded training requirements . and $150 million to restore aviation maintenance shortfalls.
"One provision requires a DoD report on the readiness of the National Guard to support governors for homeland security and after natural disasters - particularly timely given the terrible tornado in Kansas this past weekend.
"We also included provisions that require plans and reports to Congress on reconstituting our prepositioned war stocks.
"The mark authorizes over $21 billion for military construction, base realignment and closure, and family housing.
"Those funds include money to support "grow-the-force" initiatives for the Army and Marine Corps and provide facilities to accommodate new recruits and missions.
"The BRAC request for $8.4 billion puts us on track to complete the BRAC 2005 process by September 2011, provided fiscal year 2007 funding is restored through supplemental appropriations.
"Other significant provisions include proposed changes to the National Security Personnel System, depot initiatives, and numerous important policy initiatives for the Department of Defense.
"This is a good mark, and I am pleased to present it to the full committee today for your consideration. It reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and balance the many priorities of our military.
"I thank my ranking member, Mrs. Davis from Virginia, for her help in preparing this mark. I also would like to express my appreciation to the Committee staff - especially the Readiness Subcommittee staff - for all their work on this extraordinary bill."
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