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San Diego Union-Tribune
February 15, 2008 Multibillion-dollar budget gap noted
By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The Army and Marine Corps need nearly $7 billion more than President Bush requested in next year's budget, according to documents that highlight a significant shortfall at a time when ground forces are carrying the brunt of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service officials said Bush's proposal for the budget year that begins Oct. 1 was adequate to meet their objectives. But they said much more could be done – and faster – to improve the military's ability to fight.
“In a time of war and in an era of persistent conflict ... significant challenges remain,” Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff, wrote to lawmakers.
The Navy and Air Force also identified a multibillion-dollar budget gap in what is known on Capitol Hill as service “wish lists.”
In an annual tradition, the armed services give Congress details on every item and weapons program they wish could have been included in the president's budget request to Congress but were denied because of financial constraints. The lawmakers, who request the lists, use them to develop spending legislation.
Democrats, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, are looking for new ways to challenge Bush on the Iraq war. Lacking enough votes to force troops home, Democrat are expected in the months ahead to try to focus on the cost of the war and allegations of contractor abuse.
Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said yesterday he wants hearings on the matter.
As long as Iraqi officials and contractors “continue to profit from corruption and an unchecked ability to commit fraud, waste and abuse, there is little incentive for anyone to make the progress that would assist the United States and the rest of the international community in departing,” said Byrd, D-W.Va.
Democrats on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense are preparing legislation that could allot as much as $100 billion to the military in the current budget year, but likely would insist that troops come home by year's end.
In his letter to lawmakers, Casey said it is of “primary concern” that Congress approve before Memorial Day the $102.5 billion the military needs this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.
Casey said the Army's $3.9 billion wish list for 2009 focuses on equipment for its National Guard. Items include firetrucks, GPS technology, small arms, night-vision goggles and water purification systems.
“Accelerating funding for these items would help to ensure that Guard units continue to fulfill a critical role in supporting civil authorities in domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes,” Casey wrote.
The Marine Corps' $3 billion list includes $1.7 billion for a new amphibious force ship. Other items include lightweight howitzers, armored vehicles and day care centers in Hawaii and North Carolina. The Navy's $4.6 billion wish list also included the $1.7 billion amphibious force ship.
The Air Force had the heftiest wish list, identifying $18.8 billion in “unfunded requirements.” Its list included almost $668 million to correct a backlog in equipment maintenance and $600 million to buy four F-22 fighters.
February 15, 2008 Multibillion-dollar budget gap noted
By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The Army and Marine Corps need nearly $7 billion more than President Bush requested in next year's budget, according to documents that highlight a significant shortfall at a time when ground forces are carrying the brunt of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service officials said Bush's proposal for the budget year that begins Oct. 1 was adequate to meet their objectives. But they said much more could be done – and faster – to improve the military's ability to fight.
“In a time of war and in an era of persistent conflict ... significant challenges remain,” Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff, wrote to lawmakers.
The Navy and Air Force also identified a multibillion-dollar budget gap in what is known on Capitol Hill as service “wish lists.”
In an annual tradition, the armed services give Congress details on every item and weapons program they wish could have been included in the president's budget request to Congress but were denied because of financial constraints. The lawmakers, who request the lists, use them to develop spending legislation.
Democrats, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, are looking for new ways to challenge Bush on the Iraq war. Lacking enough votes to force troops home, Democrat are expected in the months ahead to try to focus on the cost of the war and allegations of contractor abuse.
Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said yesterday he wants hearings on the matter.
As long as Iraqi officials and contractors “continue to profit from corruption and an unchecked ability to commit fraud, waste and abuse, there is little incentive for anyone to make the progress that would assist the United States and the rest of the international community in departing,” said Byrd, D-W.Va.
Democrats on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense are preparing legislation that could allot as much as $100 billion to the military in the current budget year, but likely would insist that troops come home by year's end.
In his letter to lawmakers, Casey said it is of “primary concern” that Congress approve before Memorial Day the $102.5 billion the military needs this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.
Casey said the Army's $3.9 billion wish list for 2009 focuses on equipment for its National Guard. Items include firetrucks, GPS technology, small arms, night-vision goggles and water purification systems.
“Accelerating funding for these items would help to ensure that Guard units continue to fulfill a critical role in supporting civil authorities in domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes,” Casey wrote.
The Marine Corps' $3 billion list includes $1.7 billion for a new amphibious force ship. Other items include lightweight howitzers, armored vehicles and day care centers in Hawaii and North Carolina. The Navy's $4.6 billion wish list also included the $1.7 billion amphibious force ship.
The Air Force had the heftiest wish list, identifying $18.8 billion in “unfunded requirements.” Its list included almost $668 million to correct a backlog in equipment maintenance and $600 million to buy four F-22 fighters.