New defense strategy builds on success of past two years

Responding to the need to control spending while providing amply for the defense of the country, President Obama has presented a reasonable strategy to slow unsustainable growth in the defense budget. The Pentagon’s budget will remain near historic highs, and the Department of Defense will still have ample resources to meet current and future security challenges.
 

I am fully confident that the approach outlined by President Obama and Secretary Panetta will keep America strong and secure, and build on the foreign policy and defense successes of the past two years.
 
In anticipation of a Republican outcry against defense cuts, I would point out that they were mandated by deficit reduction legislation demanded by the Republican House in exchange for a routine debt ceiling increase.
 
But those who warn of a “hollow force” as a result of these changes are crying wolf. In the context of the massive recent growth in defense spending, these cuts will be an impetus for tough choices and a more efficient fighting force, but will hardly starve the military of necessary resources.
 
Our armed forces will remain the best-funded, best-trained, best-equipped in the world, and we will continue to invest in advanced capabilities to meet the challenges of decades to come.
 
I applaud the president and the secretary of Defense for their vision and courage and look forward to defending that vision in the House Armed Services committee.

Rep. Johnson (D-Ga.) is a member of the House Armed Services committee.