Democrats support and stand behind our men and women in uniform, who are bravely serving around the world, defending our national security and fighting the war on terrorism. We are deeply grateful for their patriotism and their courage and we deeply mourn those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

We strongly believe that the 1.4 million active-duty military personnel -  as well as the 1.2 million serving in the National Guard and Reserves  - and their families deserve all the support and resources that the Congress can muster. Democrats are particularly concerned about the welfare of the 138,000 troops currently serving in Iraq and the 10,000 serving in Afghanistan. That is why Democrats so strongly support increases in funding for family support centers, providing $400,000 of life insurance to service members going to combat, increases in funding for pay raises and reenlistment bonuses. 

In contrast, the Republican budget - by setting aside $1.2 trillion in tax cuts targeted to those who need them least - has shortchanged key quality-of-life measures for our armed forces and their families. Indeed, the Republicans proposed a spending bill that cuts funding for military housing and facilities - affecting military housing, barracks, child care centers, schools, and office buildings on military bases. In addition, the Republican tax bill has shamefully neglected the needs of military families - by denying the expanded child tax credit to the families of up to 260,000 children of active-duty military personnel and to many of the families of the 150,000 people currently serving in dangerous areas.

Most importantly, our troops overseas and their families deserve leadership and planning that will not unnecessarily put them in harm’s way. Right now, that is not happening.