Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 -- Continuing

Floor Speech

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Mr. TURNER. The gentleman from Colorado says that there is no strategic rationale for these troops; but, in fact, there is no strategic rationale for this amendment. This amendment is completely arbitrary in the cuts that are proposed, and there is no basis for these levels of cuts that are proposed.

In fact, the strategic rationale is for the support of our troops that are currently serving in Europe. Secretary Gates just Wednesday appeared before the Armed Services Committee; and while he was there, he testified that it is the presence of our military on the ground in Europe and other places that assures our allies and provides a deterrent effect to would-be aggressors.

These troops are not just staring down a past Soviet Union. They are, in fact, providing wartime support currently. They are also providing an effective deterrent both for our allies and for the United States.

This amendment would reduce the Army by more than 5,000, the Navy by more than 500 and the Air Force by more than 5,000 from programmed end-strength levels for fiscal year 2011. These are planned troop deployments and presence. This is not something that was done 10 years ago.

The limits on this end strength would damage wartime operational capability. To reduce manpower halfway through the fiscal year would likely require the abrupt involuntary separation of many servicemembers, sending the message, thank you for your service, but now please leave. These troops are actively providing protection both to our allies and to the United States and play a vital role in what is wartime operational capability.

Mr. DICKS. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. TURNER. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. DICKS. I appreciate the gentleman yielding.

I rise in opposition to this amendment. Secretary Gates has worked out a reduction in the troop force that will occur later in the FYDP. I think under the circumstances with the troops in Afghanistan, we are bringing in troops out of Iraq. And one of the things that is very important about our European bases is we train with the Europeans. We work with the Europeans. When the flights come out of Iraq or Afghanistan with wounded troops, they come back to Landstuhl in Germany where the troops are taken care of in the hospital. There is a long-term relationship with NATO that is very critically important.

And just to do this off the back of the hand, I understand the gentleman has some other advisers on this amendment; I wouldn't exactly be touting Donald Rumsfeld myself. But anyway, I hope that we can defeat this amendment and let the Secretary of Defense and the joint chiefs make the decision in bringing down our troop forces. And I really do believe Europe is still important to the United States.

I appreciate the gentleman yielding.

Mr. TURNER. Thank you. Although the gentleman from Colorado referenced I think what is an accurate quote to Donald Rumsfeld, I think that he, too, would have serious concerns about this amendment and its immediate effects.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. The gentleman from Ohio mentioned that the troops are an effective deterrent. I would simply ask, who are we deterring from attacking Germany and Italy?

Might I inquire as to how much time remains on either side.

The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Colorado has 30 seconds remaining. The gentleman from Ohio has 2 minutes remaining.

Mr. POLIS. Since he didn't want to answer on my time, I will be happy to yield my 20 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio, and again, who are we deterring from attacking Italy and Germany?

Mr. TURNER. I think it's important for us to understand who might attack us. And this is not an issue of these troops being a relic.

Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, again, the gentleman cited that they would be a deterrent, so I was just trying to clarify who we were attempting to deter.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TURNER. I think it's important for us to continue to honor our obligations to our allies and also to protect our country. Secretary Gates just as recently as this week on Wednesday reaffirmed the need for these troops so that we can continue to support our allies and the United States.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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