{"id":28479,"date":"2020-07-22T11:55:05","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T11:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/07\/22\/lawmakers-expect-more-clarity-soon-on-plans-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-germany\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:36:11","slug":"lawmakers-expect-more-clarity-soon-on-plans-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/congress\/2020\/07\/22\/lawmakers-expect-more-clarity-soon-on-plans-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers expect more clarity soon on plans to pull US troops out of Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lawmakers in coming days are expected to hear more details of President Donald Trump\u2019s plan to withdraw thousands of U.S. troops from bases in Germany<\/a>, but a key Senate leader is already offering his support for the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said in Tuesday that he backs the idea of shifting American military forces out of Germany<\/a> to create \u201ca greater number of smaller, well-positioned bases that would increase our reach.\u201d He said exact details still need to be worked out, but so far he sees no reason for opposition to the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBased on my conversations with (Defense) Secretary (Mark) Esper and in the briefings I\u2019ve received so far, the goal is to optimize our force posture in Europe, in part by moving some of our forces along NATO\u2019s eastern flank,\u201d he said in a floor speech on the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe plan I\u2019ve seen gives families certainty and phases the major movements over months and years to make sure we have the necessary military construction and infrastructure in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t