Cornyn Amendment Challenges Obama On Military Spending

Sen. Cornyn: Fund The National Guard And Reserves, Not Acorn And STD Prevention

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 5, 2009 -— U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), is pushing for adoption of an amendment that would provide $2 billion in funding for the National Guard and Reserve forces.

A release by Cornyn's office today says that in recent years, these forces have faced substantial shortfalls in equipment, and the stimulus bill currently on the Senate floor contains no funding to remedy this problem.

The release says Sen. Cornyn’s amendment would eliminate $2 billion in wasteful spending and use the same amount to fund the purchase of new equipment for the National Guard and Reserve, providing them with much-needed modern equipment and better enabling them to meet mission and readiness requirements. In addition, this funding would have to be expended by the end of fiscal year 2010, providing a stimulative effect to the U.S. economy.

“Since 9/11, our National Guard and Reserve equipment is being worn out more quickly than anticipated. Even before that, our forces had equipment deficiencies and much of their equipment was substandard. My amendment provides critical funding for new National Guard and Reserve equipment, which would also directly benefit our nation’s homeland security missions and disaster response efforts, both of which are frequently assigned to National Guard forces. Importantly, this spending would be offset and not add to our unprecedented national deficit by removing billions of dollars in wasteful spending already in the current bill,” Sen. Cornyn said.

“In addition to this shortfall, it has been reported that the Obama administration is planning to reduce defense spending this coming year. At a time when our nation is involved in dangerous wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, we must make sure our troops have every resource available to carry out their mission. My amendment is one step forward in ensuring our troops are equipped with the resources they need to be successful.”

According to the release, Sen. Cornyn’s amendment would be funded by eliminating $2 billion of wasteful spending in the current spending proposal by:
* Striking $1 billion for the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Periodic Censuses and Programs (Census 2010).

* Reducing by $400 million the General Services Administration, Real Property Activities, Federal Buildings Fund, for the conversion of federal buildings into “High Performance Green Buildings.”

* Striking $600 million for the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service, for the acquisition of high-efficiency motor vehicles for the Federal motor vehicle fleet.