Sen. Cornyn to Obama Administration: Reconsider Decision & Add New Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bliss

Statement

Sen. Cornyn To Obama Administration: Reconsider Decision & Add New Brigade Combat Team At Fort Bliss

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced how Fort Bliss would be negatively impacted by the shrinking of the Army's Brigade Combat Team (BCTs) growth plan.

"I am extremely disappointed the Obama Administration has downsized the Army's BCT growth plans, which would have brought this additional brigade combat team to Fort Bliss. Reducing the Army's overall number of BCTs from 48 to 45 is the wrong move at the wrong time, and it represents another attempt by the Obama Administration to cash in a peace dividend - despite the fact that our nation remains at war.

"Our brave soldiers are fighting on two major fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the demands on our all-volunteer force have been substantial. Our Army needs a larger number of deployable units to help ease the burden placed on our troops and their families. I have supported measures in the Senate to considerably increase the size of the Army, because doing so is necessary for both our national security and the welfare of our military personnel and families. It is my hope that the Obama Administration will reverse this misguided decision.

"Despite the unfortunate decision to reduce the number of BCTs, which was forced upon the Army leadership from above, Fort Bliss remains the best choice for the Army to base new BCTs in the future. I'm confident that Fort Bliss will remain well-positioned in the future to serve as home to additional BCTs when the time comes, and I am hopeful that the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, currently underway, will validate the need for further growth in our number of Army BCTs."

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