John Kerry: Kerry Backs Adequate Time At Home for Troops Between Deployments

07/10/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry, a co-sponsor of legislation that will require the Pentagon to set a minimum dwelling period in between deployments for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, today pushed for its passage. Kerry said the legislation is essential, to provide a responsible period of time at home for troops who are already spread very thin.

“The policy in Iraq threatens to break the back of the American military,” said Kerry. “We support the troops when we take steps to help them and their families cope with repeated, extended deployments. It’s only fair for them to have an opportunity to go home after these long deployments, before they’re sent back to a war zone. I fully support Sen. Webb’s efforts and look forward to a vote on this amendment.”

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Kerry said he’s co-sponsoring a bill written by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), to give troops time at home, equal to or greater than the length of time they have spent abroad. In addition, the bill requires that the troops cannot be sent back to Iraq or Afghanistan within three years of a previous deployment. The bill provides for deployments only if the president certifies that there is an emergency. Link to legislation text here.

Source: Senator John Kerry