Sen. Reid’s Plan Will “Have a Disastrous Impact on Our Military”

Boehner's Blog

Posted by Katie Boyd on July 30, 2011


Today, the House will vote on legislation put forth by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that would cut $868 billion in defense spending over 10 years – a plan that Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) warns will “have a disastrous impact on our military” and its ability to carry out missions. Several of our nation’s top military commanders have echoed Chairman McKeon’s concern:

• “Extraordinarily Difficult and Very High Risk.” “Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, President Obama’s nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned…that proposed cuts in the military budget of up to $1 trillion would be ‘extraordinarily difficult and very high risk.’” (The New York Times, 7/26/11)

•  “Fundamental Changes” in Capabilities. “General Joseph Dunford, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said his service would have ‘challenges’ in implementing its share of a $400 billion cut. ‘I think if they were to exceed $400 billion we would start to have to make some fundamental changes in the capability of the Marine Corps,’ Dunford said.” (Reuters, 7/27/11)

•  “Not Be Able to Do as Much Tomorrow as We … Do Today.” Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli: “Whatever reductions are made carry risk and with reductions we will not be able to do as much tomorrow as we are able to do today. Everything we do should be aimed at reducing that risk.” (Testimony, 7/26/11)

Yesterday, the House passed the Budget Control Act, legislation that includes real spending cuts and budget forms that – in stark contrast to Sen. Reid’s plan – will ensure our troops and military commanders have what they need to carry out their missions at home and abroad.  In a recent post on National Review Online, Foreign Policy Initiative Executive Director Jamie Fly notes that “by focusing on the real drivers of our deficit,” the House Republican plan “strengthens, not weakens, our national security.” 

With the prospect of a job-crushing default just days away – and Sen. Reid’s plan dead on arrival in the House (and possibly the Senate) - it is time for Democrats in the Senate to get serious and pass the Budget Control Act to begin putting America on a more sustainable fiscal path without compromising our national security.