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Pentagon v. Congress: Who Knows Best when it Comes to Defense Dollars?

How does the government decide to spend war dollars? And what’s more important - today’s battles or tomorrow’s defense? When it comes to making decisions about the war budget, should Congress or the Pentagon decide?

These are some of the questions brought up in the debate over the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill. The House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the legislation on May 3, 2006.

The House version authorizes a total of $512.9 billion for the military with $50 billion set aside for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

House defies the Pentagon

The House bill rebels against both the White House and the Pentagon. The bill costs $2.7 billion more than President Bush requested, and focuses on the immediate needs of the military versus the Pentagon’s more long-term goals.

Further, the House committee rejected a White House proposal to raise fees for beneficiaries in the military’s Tricare health care network. At issue was a Defense Department plan to raise deductibles and fees for military retirees under 65 years of age. The Bush administration hoped to save about $11.2 billion through fiscal 2011 by raising the fees and encouraging retirees to seek health care outside of the military’s Tricare system.

By contrast, the House bill would extend Tricare to almost all reservists.

From the Pentagon’s point of view, Tricare is a heavy burden because health care costs have soared while beneficiary’s fees have remained the same. In addition, some businesses encourage employees who have served in the military to switch to Tricare from their employer-sponsored health care plan, the Pentagon says.

Overall, the military’s health care bill was $38 billion in 2006 and is projected to reach $64 billion in 2015.

Immediate versus long term

The House bill focuses on things that soldiers need now, including vehicles, radios, rifles, ammunition, night vision gear, and safety equipment. The committee rejected the Pentagon’s request for new-generation combat systems, such as robots and ultra-modern vehicles.

Curt Weldon, Republican Representative from Pennsylvania, explained that the Pentagon’s Future Combat System program is not as important as soldiers’ present needs.

Democrats and Republicans agreed to cut some missile defense (usually a Republican priority), specifically $184 million from the Pentagon’s $9.3 billion request.

The committee instead gave troops 2.7 percent basic pay raise and increased active duty soldiers by 30,000 plus 5,000 Marines above the Bush administration’s recommendation.

Amendment

The committee successfully added an amendment to the bill that would again confront the Bush administration.

President Bush asked for $290 million for a Russia - U.S. program that would turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial reactors. The committee reduced the amount by $115.3 million, almost half.

What do you think?

Where are defense dollars most needed? Do you agree with Congress’ changes to the Pentagon’s budget? What does it mean when the Defense Department and Congress disagree on how money should be spent during wartime?

Your input matters

Your representatives DO care what you think. Especially now -- 2006 is an election year and many representatives will be looking to reconnect with their constituents. Let your congressmen and women know what you think! Give your senators a piece of your mind! To find your reps, click here.

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Update Posted on: 5/7/2006