[Page H4928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL GUARD AMENDMENT WILL IMPROVE READINESS

  (Mr. BARR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss my amendment to H.R. 
2740, the Defense appropriations bill.
  With the cosponsorship of my fellow Kentuckian, Congressman Guthrie, 
my amendment increases Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard 
operations and maintenance by $2 million each for training support. 
This funding will support the training of National Guard and Reserve 
components by the Army in order to improve readiness.
  General Lengyel of the National Guard Bureau, earlier this year 
before the Appropriations Committee, said: ``There is only one standard 
of readiness in fighting America's wars. This readiness requires the 
National Guard to be deployable, sustainable, and interoperable with 
our Active components.''
  As the representative for Kentucky's National Guard headquarters, it 
is essential we support training and coordination between the 
components of our Armed Forces.
  I was proud to advocate for this important increased funding, which 
will allow Active-Duty Army personnel to more frequently advise, 
assist, and train with Guard and Reserve units on drill weekends to 
ensure both are meeting the same level of readiness.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for adopting this amendment.

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