Unless Congress acts, March 1 will trigger a $55 billion-per-year ($43 billion in 2013, as the fiscal cliff deal delayed the cuts for two months) cut in national defense, known as sequestration, which will weaken the United States’s ability to defend itself. But this does not have to happen; Congress …
“The readiness of our Armed Forces is at a tipping point.” That’s how General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, began a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee while discussing the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget woes. He cites “budget conditions unfolding right now” as the …
The Navy has acknowledged its budgetary concerns and is hedging for further cuts by laying out priorities and describing what will be hit hardest, according to a Department of Navy memo obtained by Politico. The document acknowledges that both Navy and Marine Corps operations and maintenance (O&M) accounts will be …
Despite all the handwringing, it appears that President Barack Obama will get what he wanted in his excessive $60.4 billion request related to Hurricane Sandy. Shortly after his request was sent to Congress, the Senate approved President Obama’s package largely intact. Last week, the House passed $9.7 billion for the …
“Among the most difficult challenges facing the Air Force is the need to modernize,” writes Michael Donley, the Secretary of the Air Force. Despite major engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Libya since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force currently operates the oldest fleet it has ever …
While you were sleeping—or ringing in 2013—the Senate voted to raise taxes. After missing the midnight deadline, Congress and the President have technically sent the nation over the fiscal cliff, meaning higher tax rates are already in effect for all income tax brackets. But the Senate’s deal, brokered by Senate …
Budget policy in 2012 was characterized by deficit spending, major increases in the national debt, and a heated debate over the “fiscal cliff.” With just days left for President Obama and lawmakers in Congress to avert a major tax hike, sequestration, and other major policy changes, today we bring you …
