Statement from Lieberman's office:

Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today lauded the decision by President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to increase the Army’s active duty end strength by 22,000 soldiers over the next three years.

“I commend Secretary Gates for making this decision, which will provide much-needed relief to our brave soldiers and their families,” Lieberman said. “I have already introduced an amendment to give Secretary Gates the new authority he will need to add up to 30,000 additional soldiers, and I call upon my colleagues to vote to support our troops this week.”

Senator Lieberman proposed amendment number 1528 to the National Defense Authorization Act that provides extended authorizations to the Secretary of Defense to increase Army end strength for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Senator Lieberman is honored to be joined by a bipartisan group of colleagues as co-sponsors to this amendment, including Senators Graham, Begich, Thune, Cornyn, Hutchison, Inhofe, and Murkowski.