Rogers: GOP budget proposal does not adequately fund national defense

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-AL03 (Photo: Facebook)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL3), a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and Chairman of the Strategic Forces subcommittee, blasted the proposed House GOP budget Tuesday for not appropriating enough for defense spending.

“While folks across East Alabama are tightening their belts to live within their means, the Federal government should be following suit, but not at the expense of our national security,” Rep. Rogers said in a press release. “Recent cuts to our military are devastating readiness and the ability to defend ourselves. Further cuts will unacceptably lead us to take many unnecessary risks with the lives of our men and women in uniform. We live in a dangerous world and have many enemies who want nothing more than to destroy America.”

The budget proposed by the House GOP offers a stark contrast to the White House’s proposal revealed last month. Promising a projected savings of $5.5 trillion over the next decade, the proposal would reform Medicaid and Medicare, repeal Obamacare, and leave most welfare programs to the states in the form of block grants. The proposal predicts a $13 billion surplus in 2024, without raising taxes.

The largest concern among members of the Committee on Armed Services is that cuts from the Budget Control Act of 2011, so-called “Sequestration,” be repealed or revised, and full funding for the overseas operations against ISIS be implemented.

The House GOP budget would keep base Pentagon spending below the sequester cap of $523 billion, but include an additional $90 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding, used for military action in the Middle East and other areas with a U.S. military presence. The additional funding would the push House GOP’s proposed total military spending level higher than President Obama’s budget, which many Republicans believe is an important benchmark. However, some controversy is developing about how the extra Pentagon spending is paid for.

Instead of including provisions in the budget that would fund the extra $90 billion, the House GOP has proposed creating a “Defense Readiness and Modernization Fund,” which Congress would need to fill later as funding becomes available. Many defense-oriented Republicans have expressed concern that this budget maneuver leaves the military with too much budget uncertainty as the 2016 sequester cuts loom.

“As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee,” Rep. Rogers said, “I know firsthand the funding the Pentagon needs to operate and keep our country safe from harm. Upon initial review, despite its many positive recommendations, this budget proposal does not effectively address defense spending and I hope through the legislative process on the House floor, that this proposal will be improved.”

On Monday, Representative Martha Roby (R-AL2), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said she wouldn’t support a budget that doesn’t repeal sequestration and “restore critical funding for national defense.”

“In the lead up to assuming this historic Congressional majority, Republicans talked about a return to responsible governing after years of crisis and gridlock,” said Rep. Roby. “During this budget process, conservatives must clearly demonstrate our commitment to national defense and support proper military spending levels.”

The Senate Republicans’ budget proposal is expected to be revealed Wednesday.