US House Votes to Remove Troops in Europe

A bipartisan measure passed the US House on Friday, which would bring 15,000 troops out of Europe and back to the States.

The cuts would still leave 64,000 US troops stationed throughout western Europe, mostly in Germany.

Democratic Representative Jared Polis of Boulder, Colorado and Republican Representative Mike Coffman of Aurora, Colorado led the amendment.

Polis claims that by eliminating all US troops in Europe could save over a billion dollars a year.

However, it is unclear how this specific legislation would save money, as it just moves the troops from Europe to the States. It in no way cuts total troop numbers.

Coffman points this out, and hopes to see overall troop numbers lowered.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has a goal of reducing European troop numbers in half, down to around 40,000.

The Senate is now looking at it's own version of defense spending.