May 14, 2008

 “The Readiness Subcommittee package before us today reflects the committee’s concern about the continuing decline in the readiness posture of our armed forces. The mark authorizes $143 billion for operation and maintenance.

May 14, 2008

 “Mr. Chairman, Congressman Hunter, I am pleased to bring forward for consideration, the military personnel mark.  I want to thank my ranking member, Mr. McHugh, for his contributions in putting together this mark.

May 14, 2008

 “It has been a pleasure building this mark with my friend and the ranking member, Mr. Everett. At this, his last committee mark-up, I want to thank the Ranking Member for his advice and cooperation. They have both been critical to our success.  I would also like to thank the Strategic Forces subcommittee staff, and the members of the subcommittee and their staffs for their hard work.

May 14, 2008

 “The Air and Land Forces Subcommittee includes a jurisdiction of $77 billion in Army and Air Force programs in Titles I and II.

May 14, 2008

 “I want to thank the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member, the Honorable Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland, for his invaluable assistance this year, and to all the members of the subcommittee for their contributions in bringing together this report.  The subcommittee had a number of key bipartisan priorities this session, and I believe this report accurately captures those priorities.