FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 07, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: DOD Plan to Increase Burden on Army Reserve and National Guard Unfair and Makes No Sense

Washington, DC -- Today, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released a statement on news reports that the Pentagon is considering a new policy that would allow for longer and more frequent call-ups of reservists, eliminating the 24-month cap on active duty service.

"It has long been clear that the strain of our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are wearing our troops thin, and that our active duty force is too small to handle an open-ended operation in Iraq.  By consistently underestimating the number of troops necessary for successful operations in Iraq, the Bush Administration has placed a tremendous burden on the brave men and women in the Army Reserve and National Guard and their families.

"Despite a series of increasingly urgent warnings from military officers and civilian defense specialists that the reserves are 'rapidly degenerating into a broken force,' the Pentagon is reportedly considering a new policy that would make our reservists eligible for an unlimited number of call-ups.  It is unfair to ask families who have already given so much for our country to continue to sacrifice.  And it makes no sense, given the burden that our reserves currently face, to place more of the burden on them.

"Defense Secretary Rumsfeld went into Iraq without adequate preparation and no plan for a successful mission.  Now, almost two years since the war began, nothing has changed, and our soldiers are paying the price.  The Bush Administration needs to be honest about the challenges we are facing in Iraq, and quickly develop a more effective strategy."

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi