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  • Defense Spending

    National Guard Facing Cuts That Would Hurt Domestic Readiness

    The American people in many cases do not recognize the incredible value of one of the crown jewels of the nation: the National Guard. Most people have only a vague idea of what it is and what it means to America. And yet as important as its role is, the … More

    Protect America: Address the Entitlement Problem Now

    “Provide for common defense” is a core constitutional obligation of the federal government. Yet entitlement spending is putting unsustainable pressure on the defense budget. In 1965, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security constituted 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) while defense made up 7.4 percent. The Office of Management and … More

    Exclusive Interview: Sen. Jon Kyl on the Need to Preserve Defense

    Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has been among the Senate’s strongest proponents of a robust national defense. In his role as Republican Whip, he is now leading the charge against efforts to shortchange our Defense budget, and warning of potential dire consequences for national security. Kyl spoke at the Heritage Foundation … More

    Morning Bell: Would You Take an SUV into Combat?

    Should our fighting men and women be forced to drive unarmed SUVs into war zones, with speed as their only defense against rocket and car bomb attacks? Tragically, that’s a true story of U.S. military readiness today, and America’s defenses will only get worse under the drastic cuts aimed at … More

    Morning Bell: Will Congress Defend Our Military?

    It’s one thing to talk a good game about cutting spending, but it’s quite another thing to actually do something about it. This week, the House of Representatives has an opportunity to finally set some limits on Washington’s spending spree while also ensuring that the U.S. military has the resources … More

    ‘Defending Our Defenders’: Forbes Kicks Off Tour in Chesapeake, Virginia

    Representatives Randy Forbes (R–VA) and Scott Rigell (R–VA) will be hosting a listening session in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Monday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Conference Center. This event, part of a larger House Armed Services Committee effort spearheaded by Forbes entitled “Defending Our Defenders,” is an initiative … More

    Protect America Guest Blog: Pushing Back on Sequestration

    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 … More

    In Pictures: Defense Spending Plummets under Obama’s Budget

    Last night, President Obama visited Afghanistan and stood on the shoulders of the U.S. military to trumpet his foreign policy. But that military is being eviscerated under the president’s budget cuts, creating a hollow force and exacerbating today’s readiness crisis. Since President Obama took office, more than 50 major weapons … More

    Happening Now: Online Chat on Protecting America

    Next week is the start of Heritage’s fourth annual Protect America Month. Protect  America Month is the month where we highlight the need for a strong National Defense. Join us on Friday from 12-1 ET when we will be joined by Heritage’s Jim Carafano and he will be taking your … More

    Defending Paul Ryan on Defense

    Representative Paul Ryan (R–WI) generated a few headlines defending his defense budget. When pressed about why he wanted to invest more in the military than the Pentagon brass asked for, Ryan had an answer that raised eyebrows: “We don’t think the generals are giving us their true advice,” Ryan said … More