Rogers: Abrams Cuts Could Hurt Warfighter Readiness
Rogers: Abrams Cuts Could Hurt Warfighter Readiness
Sends letter to Appropriations Chairman Lewis opposing war supplemental cuts to critical armored vehicle program
Washington, D.C. - Proposed cuts to the Abrams tank upgrade program in the Pentagon's $72 billion War Supplemental are shortsighted and could severely hurt the preparedness of our nation's warfighters, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.
The proposal, which Rogers strongly opposed in a letter today to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), could slice $300 million from the Army's partnership with General Dynamics to repair and upgrade Abrams tanks. Rogers said the cuts could mean U.S. troops could be sent into battle without the most up-to-date equipment.
"When it comes to our military, our number one priority must be to supply our warfighters with the best equipment available," said Rogers, a member of the Armed Services Committee. "Clearly this proposal could severely compromise the readiness of our troops, and I plan to work with my colleagues in Congress to try and address this critical funding as the process moves forward."
Rogers said in the letter the Abrams tank is one of the Army's most battle-worn vehicles. "The M1A2 SEP is the most modern tank in the world its core electronics and situational awareness allow greater survivability and lethality for our tank crews operating on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan," he wrote.
Rogers also said any cuts or reductions to upgrades of the Abrams tank, many of which are upgraded at the Anniston Army Depot in a partnership with General Dynamics, could be extraordinarily costly in the long run. "Any reduction in the talented workforce for this critical weapon cannot be sustained during a lengthy production gap, and can only be recreated at great cost - both to our military and to the overall readiness of our warfighters," he wrote.
Rogers said the legislation is moving quickly in Congress, and a broad coalition of representatives nationwide also opposes the cuts. "I am hopeful our concerns will, at least, get a fair hearing. Clearly, evidence shows this vehicle is critical for the readiness of our warfighters."
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/al03_rogers/gd.html