Dodd Military Equipment Timeline

Dodd Military Equipment Timeline

Sen. Dodd has long fought to assure that our fighting men and women have the protective gear they need to keep them safe in Iraq and Afghanistan. “There should be no higher priority for our government,” Dodd has said, “than ensuring that American troops are well-equipped, particularly those on the front lines of battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.” For that reason, Sen. Dodd has repeatedly offered legislation to address serious shortfalls in critical safety equipment for our men and women in uniform.
  • October 2, 2003 - Senator Dodd proposes an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill to address a $322 million shortfall identified by the Army Comptroller’s office for safety equipment for United States forces. The legislation fails on a party line vote. (View vote record)
  • June 13, 2004 - DoD releases position paper outlining opposition to a body armor reimbursement program. (View position paper)
  • June 14, 2004 - Senator Dodd introduces reimbursement amendment to the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005; amendment passes unanimously 91-0.
  • October 6, 2004 - House passes Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.
  • October 10, 2004 - Senate passes Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.
  • October 29, 2004 - President Bush signs Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 which becomes PL 108-375. Section 351, the Dodd reimbursement amendment, requires the Department of Defense to promulgate rules regarding reimbursement by February 25, 2005.
  • December 8, 2004 - Secretary Rumsfeld answers Army Spc. Thomas Wilson of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, a Tennessee National Guard outfit, by saying you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want. (CNN Story)
  • December 8, 2004 - Senator Dodd sends letter to Secretary Rumsfeld criticizing Rumsfeld s remarks and seeking details about the implementation of the reimbursement program. (view letter)
  • January 10, 2005 - Senator Dodd and Representative John Larson (CT-01) send letter to Secretary Rumsfeld seeking an update on the Department of Defense's implementation of PL 108-375, Sec. 351. (View letter)
  • January 12, 2005 - David F. Melcher, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, replies to Senator Dodd and Representative Larson s letter, saying The Department of Defense is currently formulating policy to implement provisions of this Act. (View letter)
  • January 13, 2005 - Secretary Rumsfeld replies to Senator Dodd and Representative Larson's letter, saying I have asked Dr. Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, to be in touch with you on this. (View letter)
  • January 14, 2005 - Michelle Y. Cromwell, Chief, Special Actions Branch, Congressional Inquiry Division, U.S. Army, acknowledges receipt of Senator Dodd and Representative Larson's letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, saying Inquiry into this matter has been initiated. (View letter)
  • February 25, 2005 - Department of Defense fails to issue reimbursement rules as required by Section 351 of PL 108-375.
  • March 9, 2005 - Senator Dodd sends a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, explaining that the Department of Defense has failed to promulgate the rules for reimbursement as required by PL 108-375, Sec. 351, and accordingly, the office of the Secretary of Defense is apparently not incompliance with this section of the law. (View letter)
  • March 15, 2005 - Secretary Rumsfeld replies to Senator Dodd's letter, saying "Mr. Mike Wynne, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, will be in touch with you as soon as possible [ ] Thank you for your concern." (View letter)
  • April 29, 2005 - David S. C. Chu, of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, responds to Senator Dodd and Representative Larson's letter of January 10, saying "My office is working [ ] to develop in implementing directive that complies with Congress direction [ ] We anticipate that the policies and procedures for reimbursement will be completed and disseminated in the next sixty days." (View letter)
  • June 29, 2005 - Sixty days after Chu s letter, Department of Defense fails to issue reimbursement rules as required by Section 351 of PL 108-375.
  • September 29, 2005 - Sen. Dodd Announces Legislation to Reimburse Troops for Purchasing Essential Safety Equipment.
  • October 5, 2005 - Department of Defense promulgates rules over seven months after the Section 351's deadline. Rules are called "incomplete" by Senator Dodd. Dodd introduces a new reimbursement amendment SA 1970, transferring reimbursement authority to unit commanders. Amendment passes unanimously on voice vote.
  • July 27, 2006 - Citing media reports that up to two-thirds of the U.S. Army’s combat brigades are unprepared for wartime missions due to equipment shortfalls, Senator Dodd announces he will propose an amendment to the Senate Defense Appropriations Bill to provide $17 billion to replace critical military equipment that has been worn out or lost in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. (View release)
  • August 1, 2006 - Senator Dodd holds press conference with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) again announcing intention to propose amendment to the Senate Defense Appropriations Bill to address the $17 billion shortfall in the President’s proposed budget identified by the Army’s top leaders to replace critical military equipment that has been worn out or lost in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • August 1, 2006 - After initially opposing adding funds to address the $17 billion shortfall, the Republican majority decides to partially address the shortfall.
  • August 2, 2006 - Senator Dodd introduces his amendment to Fy 2007 Defense Appropriations Bill to fully provide the resources to repair, replace, and overhaul the Army’s war-battered fleets of tanks, trucks, and aircraft, which are currently harming U.S. Army Combat readiness. The Amendment is approved by the Senate 97-0. (View release, View floor debate)
  • September 29, 2006 - Final Version of Fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill approved by Senate, including the entire $17 billion provision for address critical equipment shortfalls. President Signs Fiscal Year 2007 Act into law.
  • October 12, 2006 - Senator Dodd sends a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, expressing concern over reports that U.S. combat readiness continue to be threatened due to war-battered equipment and forces stretched thin. To address these concerns, Dodd calls on Secretary Rumsfeld to restock damaged fleets of tanks, trucks, and aircraft and expand the overall size of the Army. (View release, View letter)
  • November 7, 2006 - Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army responds to Senator Dodd’s letter to Secretary Rumsfeld. (View letter)
  • March 1, 2007 – Commission on the National Guard and Reserves releases a reports saying that 88 percent of the National Guard is “not ready” for duty, due to critical equipment shortfalls.
  • March 5, 2007 – Senator Dodd introduces legislation to ensure that the National Guard receives the $38 billion it needs over the next five years to address these shortfalls.
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( published in: Strengthening our Military )