Defense and Aerospace (June 2009)

As Congress deliberates over next year’s budget, it is easy to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of the big picture. The federal budget is simply an annual statement of our federal government’s priorities. With that in mind, the Obama administration’s fiscal 2010 budget makes a very troubling statement. The new administration’s priorities are clear — it supports a massive expansion of social programs at the expense of our national defense.

In March, the House of Representatives called on President Barack Obama to declare 2009 as the Year of the Military Family. Such resolutions are a time-honored way for Congress to declare its support and appreciation. But it is important that we build on this gesture and provide the benefits our service members and their families have earned and deserve.

In legislation, timing is everything. Good ideas don’t always make it into law. But this year, the timing was right for our good ideas as the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the administration agreed to make defense acquisition reform a top priority. On May 22, following unanimous approval in the House and Senate, President Obama signed the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 into law.

Acquisition problems have plagued many of our armed services’ most important new weapons systems, including the Air Force tanker, the Osprey, and the Joint Strike Fighter.

This week the opening shot will be fired in the real debate over the future of our nation’s military. Starting Tuesday during the Senate hearing to determine federal funding for the Navy, the Obama administration will deploy top military leaders to defend what many view as risky spending cuts to some of our most reliable defense programs.

Carving out a relevant, national voice is the preeminent challenge facing Republican leadership in the 111th Congress. Presently, the economy and domestic affairs are at the top of the American political agenda. Yet, the party of Abraham Lincoln needs to focus as well on reclaiming its place as the party that Americans trust and turn to for leadership and guidance on national security matters.