BALDWIN CO., Ala (WPMI) -- Starting Saturday any of the 200,000 soldiers who apply for tuition assistance will be turned down. The Army's announcement follows a similar decision this week by the Marine Corps. Budget issues and the sequester standoff led to the decision.
"That's not smart, there are a lot of things you can cut out," Sen. Richard Shelby (R) told members in his district during a meet-and-greet.
He said the lack of compromise in Washington was at an uncomfortable high. The men and women who answer the call to duty are the casualties of Congress.
"The democratic resolution is more taxes and the republican solution is to give more flexibility to the military and other agencies to cut," he said.
"Stars and Stripes" reported Marines were informed their assistance would end after the current semester. The senator said he understands cuts have to be made, but wants the agencies to have the discretion on what they can get rid of.
He said it will take help from lawmakers compromising on Capitol Hill.
"We need a strong military, we don't need a military that's bloated in any way and we don't know what is and what's not yet because congress hasn't done its work."
The Army will reevaluate the decision should the budget situation improve
