Plans by the U.S. Army to reduce overall strength by 40,000 troops will mean 774 fewer uniformed positions at Fort Leonard Wood by September 2017.
According to St. Louis Public Radio, the announcement comes as Senate Democrats continue to refuse to debate Republican budget bills, insisting that lawmakers first negotiate an end to mandatory spending caps. The bills include a Republican plan to increase the Pentagon’s budget; Democrats have called it a “budget gimmick” designed to avoid hitting spending caps.
Still, Sens. Claire McCaskil and Roy Blunt and Rep. Vicky Hartzler - whose congressional district is home to Fort Leonard Wood - have joined together to support Ford Leonard Wood.
“Working with installation and Army leadership, in partnership with the Missouri congressional delegation, Missouri has positioned Fort Leonard Wood for the Army of the future as one of the premier training bases in the country," they said in a statement. "This is a challenging announcement for the Fort Leonard Wood community, but we remain committed in our support for the fort along with its brave soldiers, families and civilians stationed there.”
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