Lawmakers in Washington have six months to figure out a way to avoid the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts agreed to in last year’s debt-limit deal. Those cuts disproportionately target defense, prompting concerns from across the political spectrum. Leading the charge in Congress is Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the …
The U.S. Army is the nation’s oldest military service. It was founded in 1775 by the Continental Congress with an allocation of $2 million. The tradition remains sound, but the costs have certainly gone up. Around the world, in environments both calm and hostile, the soldiers, sergeants, and officers of …
The year was 1979. America’s military had emerged from the Vietnam War earlier in the decade and was now facing sizable and significant budget cuts. Capt. Tom Shanahan, commanding officer of the USS Canisteo, had just returned from the Mediterranean Sea and was now leading an overhaul of his fleet …
Under current law, the U.S. Department of Defense faces significant spending cuts over the next 10 years—cuts that America’s civilian and military leaders have candidly described as “devastating” and “very high risk.” This precarious state of the Pentagon’s future fiscal affairs is due to the Budget Control Act (BCA), the …
America’s all-volunteer military is the most well-trained, well-equipped fighting force the world has ever seen. But the strength of our armed forces should not be taken for granted. Unfortunately, the impact of looming defense cuts would be catastrophic to our military, local communities and veterans. If no action is taken …
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently issued a report that attempts to explain the usage of the term “hollow forces.” The report argues that given the context of the term, it cannot be used to describe dramatic cuts befalling the U.S. military today. Proponents of shrinking America’s armed forces have …
President Obama’s cuts to defense put America’s national security at risk, argues Heritage’s James Carafano. As the U.S. draws out of two foreign wars, the President assumes that America will no longer require a capable global force. However, these cuts do not account for growing threats throughout the world. U.S …
Representative Edward Markey (D–MA) has grave misconceptions regarding contributions that nuclear weapons make to the U.S. and allied national security. On Wednesday, he introduced a bill that would cut $100 billion in nuclear weapons programs. This bill is co-sponsored by 34 other Representatives. Not only would such cuts be disastrous …
In a recent report titled “A Historical Perspective on ‘Hollow Forces,’” the Congressional Research Service (CRS) surveyed past efforts to keep the military from going “hollow.” The CRS is spot on in bringing attention to the issue. We need to look for the warning signs that budget cuts are leaving …
