Any increases above 1/16/07 troop levels would require Congressional Authorization; Precedent Exists in 1973, 1983, 1984, 2000

Reports that Trop Increase Won’t be Adequately Protected

January 16, 2007         

Washington, DC: Today Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Chris Dodd sent a letter to Secretary Robert Gates questioning him about a recent report that two new brigades of troops the President intends to send to Iraq will be deployed without the protection of the most up-to-date armored vehicles.  The Senators, who strongly oppose the escalation of the war, contend that "it makes no sense to send even more of our forces into danger" and ask the Secretary of Defense to explain what he is doing to rectify the problem and provide adequate protection.
        
Last week, Senator Kennedy introduced legislation that would require Congress to vote before the President escalates troop levels to fight a civil war — giving the American people a voice in the process.
        
Senator Dodd is the author of several provisions signed into law to provide U.S. military members critical combat equipment, including a 2006 measure to restock thousands of war-battered military vehicles and a 2004 initiative to reimburse troops for buying their own body armor and other gear for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

December 13, 2006

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) will leave Friday for a week-long trip to the Middle East to commend American troops for their service, assess the current state of affairs and willingness of regional leaders to help the United States, and examine firsthand how the proposals put forth in the Iraq Study Group Report impact the region.  In addition to Iraq, Senator Dodd will visit Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan.

October 12, 2006

Washington, D.C. – In response to reports of plans to retain current troop-levels in Iraq at approximately 140,000 over the next four years, Senator Chris Dodd today voiced his concerns about troop preparedness, the size of the active Army force, and vehicle and equipment needs.  He believes that to maintain U.S. forces in Iraq at current levels is undermining U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq and to adequately prepare to defend U.S. national security interests elsewhere.  In a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, Dodd calls on the Administration to fully fund the repair and replacement of combat gear damaged and lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to relieve strains on individual soldiers by expanding the overall size of the United States Army.

September 29, 2006

 

WASHINGTON – The Senate today approved the 2007 Defense Appropriations Conference Report, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is expected to be signed by the President.  Due to the efforts of Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT), the bill supports Connecticut’s defense industry, particularly in the critical areas of submarine research and technology.  In addition to boosting Connecticut’s economy, the funding will help ensure that U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are outfitted with the resources they need to perform their missions. 

September 28, 2006

September 19, 2006