Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 17, 2014 12:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Bob Mensch |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Resolution Supporting H.R. 3930 -- Freezing Any Reduction of Army National Guard Troop Strength and Establishing a National Commission to Review the Structure of the Army |
| Please join me in cosponsoring legislation that would urge the President of the United States and the Congress to consider passage of H.R. 3930 which establishes the National Commission on the Structure of the Army. The Commission is charged with taking a comprehensive study of the structure of the Army to determine: (1) the proper force mixture of the active component and reserve component, and (2) how the structure should be modified to best fulfill mission requirements in a manner consistent with available resources. It is the primary responsibility of the government to ensure the safety and health of its citizens and with continued threats to both freedom and liberty globally and domestically we see our federal government reducing funding for the National Guard in 2015. If these cuts would occur our National Guard stands to lose all of its attack and reconnaissance capabilities, which in turn jeopardizes their mission readiness and support component to active forces in war time and in times of domestic emergencies. This is unacceptable to me. After 12 years of combat and shifting security priorities, a commission to evaluate Army force structure is appropriate. What the mix between Active/Guard/Reserve should be is a question that should be closely assessed. Allowing a restructuring plan that removes entire capabilities from the Guard and places them solely in the hands of the active component is ill advised and Congress, in their oversight duties, should take a closer look at alternatives. The final report of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force is a great contribution to the discussion on how to maintain the nation's defense capabilities during these fiscally tumultuous times. There is value to Congress and the Pentagon in taking an independent look at future force structure when the components are at an impasse. The National Commission on the Structure of the Army that is established by H.R. 3930 does just that. Further, the geographical location of Pennsylvania places the Pennsylvania National Guard in a strategic location to respond to domestic emergencies and armed conflict. It is important that we maintain the authorized strength levels for the National Guard not only in Pennsylvania but across the nation. Join me in encouraging our Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to support this very important piece of legislation. Find attached H.R. 3930 for you to review. If you have any questions please call Matt Azeles in my office at 787-3110 |
||
| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as SR397