By Donna Cassata
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Top Pentagon officials on Wednesday defended Defense Secretary Robert Gates' proposed multibillion-dollar cuts in military spending in the face of tough questions from Republicans about slashing too deep and jeopardizing U.S. forces.
At the start of the arduous budget process, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn told the new Republican-controlled House Armed Services Committee that Gates' call for cuts of $78 billion "strikes the right balance for these difficult times."
The military budget would still be $553 billion in the next fiscal year, close to double the 2001 total, and the amount does not include funds for the war in Afghanistan and reduced operations in Iraq. The formal proposal will be submitted to Congress the week of Feb. 14 when President Barack Obama offers his budget.
With the latest projection of a record $1.5 trillion deficit this year, Republicans and Democrats are clamoring for significant spending cuts, with some arguing that the military's budget should be part of any calculation. Yet some lawmakers fear deep cuts will undermine the military in a time of war and question elimination of weapons that often mean jobs back home.
"I will not support any measures that stress our forces and jeopardize the lives of our men and women in uniform," said Rep. Buck McKeon, the new Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee. "I will also oppose any plans that have the potential to damage or jeopardize our national security."
Specifically, several committee members expressed concern about Gates' plan to cancel the $12 billion Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle that would transport Marines from ship to shore. Gates said that money will be used to buy additional ships, F-18 jets and new electronic jammers.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, assistant Marine commandant, told the committee the cost of the each vehicle had tripled, from $5 million apiece in 1995 to $17 million now.
But lawmakers complained that they were not privy to the decision-making process and questioned whether it was dictated by the White House's Office of Management and Budget.
"Some edicts come down from on high," said Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Republican. "And you put a rosy face on it."
Rep. W. Todd Akin, a Republican, assailed the unilateral decisions and said of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, "the assumptions are very thin."
Democrats were more accepting of the Gates' proposal.
Published: Thu, Jan 27, 2011
