[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




DEMOCRATS' ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING 
                               OUR TROOPS

  (Mr. AKIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. AKIN. Recently, congressional Democrats cut funding that was 
planned for modernization of our military. And while we've heard 
statements that the Democrats are supporting our troops, their actions 
speak louder than words.
  In a strict party-line vote, Democrats slashed the Army modernization 
program with a 25 percent cut, casting a cloud over the first major 
modernization program in four decades. Future combat systems are 
designed to create a real-time battlefield information system. It 
promises increased safety and efficiency for our troops. This is 
nothing new. In the 1970s, the Democrats slashed military spending, and 
our servicemen and -women were forced to apply for food stamps just to 
survive. Again, in the 1990s, the Democrat Congress caused our Nation's 
forces to lose their technological edge. From future combat systems to 
missile defense, Democrats demonstrate a shortsightedness that will 
cost our sons and daughters the tools they need for a safe mission. My 
children and our children will pay the price.

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