The Army has requested that Congress cut $3 billion from the supplementary budget request that President Bush sent to members last week – money that, it turns out, could come from work performed at the Anniston Army Depot.

The proposed cuts could remove $300 million from a partnership between the Army and General Dynamics to repair M1 Abrams tanks, the Army’s main battle tank, as well as Bradley fighting vehicles, officials said. In all, the president’s supplemental request contains $72.4 billion for the war on terror.

“I am concerned that the president’s supplemental request did not include funding for the wheeled and tracked combat vehicle line,” said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa. “This lack of funding directly impacts the readiness of our armor forces deploying and redeploying to Iraq as well as the Anniston Army Depot.”

Shelby, who plans to work with the Senate Appropriations Committee to restore the funding, was echoed by 3rd District Congressman Mike Rogers, who wrote a letter to the House Appropriations Committee Chairman, Jerry Lewis, R-Calif.

The Republican from Saks wrote that the proposed cuts could mean U.S. troops would be sent into battle without the most up-to-date equipment.

“When it comes to our military, our No. 1 priority must be to supply our war fighters with the best equipment available,” said Rogers, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Clearly this proposal could severely compromise the readiness of our troops, and I plan to work with my colleagues in Congress to try and address this critical funding as the process moves forward.”

Rogers said that a broad coalition of representatives oppose the cuts.

“I am hopeful our concerns will, at least, get a fair hearing,” he said.

Sen. Jeff Session’s office also is looking into the effect of the reduction in funding. Spokesman Mike Brumas said he expects to have more definitive information within a few days.

Meanwhile, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce officials flew to Washington, D.C., this week to discuss the matter with federal officials.

“It’s early in the process, but we wanted to make sure it was communicated from our standpoint as early as it could be,” said Nathan Hill, military liaison for the local chamber. “… I know our two senators and Congressman Rogers will work this diligently.”