A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

September 21, 2007

Dear Friends,                              

This week, the Senate began debate on the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill, which authorizes funds for our nation’s military forces. This debate will continue into next week and is centered around our military mission in Iraq.

On Thursday, I voted against an amendment to the bill that would require President Bush to begin phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq within 90 days and that would prohibit the use of any funds for any deployment in Iraq beyond June 30, 2008. The amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass under Senate rules, failed by a vote of 28 to 70.

A precipitous and final withdrawal that is notwithstanding whatever action may be taking place on the ground or what progress may have been made is wrong. While the situation in Iraq is grave, it would turn dire if we prematurely withdraw our forces.

I believe withdrawing troops before Iraq is fully secure or revealing timelines for the withdrawal of troops would send a message of hope to the terrorists and insurgents that America has lost its will. If we have objectives and benchmarks for victory, we should give ourselves the chance for that to take place. We owe it to the legacy of the sacrifice made by the countless men and women who are in Iraq and those who have served before them.

National Guard Reintegration Program
On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved an amendment I introduced with Senator Chambliss to the defense authorization bill that would create a reintegration program for National Guard personnel returning from combat.  This program would ensure that servicemembers and their families receive the training and assistance they need in order to successfully transition from the battlefield back to civilian life.  The legislation is modeled after the Minnesota National Guard’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program.

Specifically, the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program created by this legislation will focus on support for Reserve Component soldiers and their families during each of the four phases of their deployment cycle, including pre-deployment, deployment, demobilization and post-deployment. The events and activities created by this legislation include family and marriage counseling, financial planning and education, small business planning, community outreach, and healthcare and veterans benefits education. The bill also would require reintegration activity seminars 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days after soldiers return home to assist returning troops and their families with specific challenges presented by the reintegration process.

Since the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our nation has depended on our National Guard like never before in waging the war on terror, and this program will help see to it that the treatment and services we give these individuals are equal to the sacrifice they have made for our country.

Resolution Honoring Augusta’s Commitment and Service to Veterans
On Monday, the Senate also unanimously approved an amendment I introduced with Senator Chambliss to the defense authorization bill commending Augusta’s efforts in providing quality health care services to our nation’s veterans. The resolution expresses gratitude to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, the Augusta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Medical College of Georgia, and local health care personnel for their collaborative efforts to provide the best support and resources to our wounded warriors. The resolution also encourages continued collaboration between the Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs in treating America’s wounded warriors, and when appropriate and available, additional support and resources for the development of such collaborations.

What’s happening in Augusta is a great story about how collaboration and coordination and the idea of a seamless transition from the Department of Defense to Veterans’ Affairs can work. We want to see to it that the treatment of every veteran and active duty soldier is the best that it can be. Initiatives such as the partnership between Augusta VA Medical Center and Eisenhower Army Medical Center will help us achieve that goal.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate is expected to vote on final passage of the Water Resources Development Act conference report, which includes many critical Georgia projects. The Senate also will continue debate on the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson