Senate Resolution Urges Reconsideration of Guard Cuts

Pennsylvania could lose two brigades, 4,000 soldiers under proposal

The Senate today adopted a Resolution introduced by Senator Don White calling on the President, Congress and Department of Defense officials to reconsider a proposed cut back in National Guard staffing across the nation.

Senator White's resolution urges the federal officials to rescind a plan announced on January 18 by the Secretary of The Army to eliminate six combat brigades from the Army National Guard and reduce its troop strength by 17,000.

Pennsylvania is home to two of these brigades. A heavy brigade headquartered in Scranton and another in Washington, Pa. One plan would also remove a heavy combat brigade and portions of an aviation brigade stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap. This proposal could mean the Commonwealth would lose some 4,000 soldiers.

"It is hard to believe that today, when American forces are serving around the world and our military resources are stretched thin, the Secretary of the Army would even consider such a drastic move as scaling back our National Guard component," said Senator White, Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, in a speech prior to the Senate vote on his Resolution.

"If anything, we should be working to enhance and increase the ranks of our citizens-soldiers at every possibility," Senator White continued.