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February 14, 2008
US Ground Forces: More Money Needed
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 8:10 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army and Marine Corps need nearly $7 billion more
than President Bush requested in next year's budget, according to documents
that highlight a significant shortfall at a time when ground forces are
carrying the brunt of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service officials said Bush's proposal for the budget year that begins Oct.
1 was adequate to meet their objectives. But they said much more could be
done and faster to improve the military's ability to fight.
''In a time of war and in an era of persistent conflict ... significant
challenges remain,'' Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff, wrote
lawmakers.
The Navy and Air Force also identified a multibillion-dollar budget gap in
what is known on Capitol Hill as service ''wish lists.''
An annual tradition, the services give Congress details on every item and
weapons program they wish could have been included in the president's budget
request to Congress, but were denied because of financial constraints. The
lawmakers, who request the lists, use them to develop spending legislation.
Democrats, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, are looking for new
ways to challenge Bush on the Iraq war. Lacking enough votes to force troops
home, Democrat are expected in the months ahead to try to focus on the cost
of the war and allegations of contractor abuse.
Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said
Thursday he wants hearings on the matter.
As long as Iraqi officials and contractors ''continue to profit from
corruption and an unchecked ability to commit fraud, waste and abuse, there
is little incentive for anyone to make the progress that would assist the
United States and the rest of the international community in departing,''
said Byrd, D-W.Va.
Democrats on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense are preparing
legislation that could allot as much as $100 billion to the military in the
current budget year, but likely insist troops come home by the end of the
year.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated she is in no hurry to provide the
military the money. ''I have been told on good authority that our military
has all that it needs until June or July,'' said Pelosi, D-Calif.
In his letter to lawmakers, Casey said it is of ''primary concern'' that
Congress approve before Memorial Day in late May the $102.5 billion the
military needs this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.
As for the Army's 2009 wish list, Casey said the $3.9 billion focuses on
equipment for its National Guard. Items include fire trucks, GPS technology,
small arms, night-vision goggles and water purification systems.
''Accelerating funding for these items would help to ensure that Guard units
continue to fulfill a critical role in supporting civil authorities in
domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes,
floods and earthquakes,'' he wrote.
The Marine Corps' $3 billion list includes $1.7 billion for a new amphibious
force ship. Other items include lightweight howitzers, armored vehicles and
day care centers in Hawaii and North Carolina. The Navy's $4.6 billion wish
list included the $1.7 billion amphibious force ship as well.
The Air Force identified the heftiest wish list, identifying some $18.8
billion in ''unfunded requirements.'' Its list included almost $668 million
to correct a backlog in equipment maintenance and $600 million to buy four
F-22 fighters.
US Ground Forces: More Money Needed
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 8:10 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army and Marine Corps need nearly $7 billion more
than President Bush requested in next year's budget, according to documents
that highlight a significant shortfall at a time when ground forces are
carrying the brunt of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service officials said Bush's proposal for the budget year that begins Oct.
1 was adequate to meet their objectives. But they said much more could be
done and faster to improve the military's ability to fight.
''In a time of war and in an era of persistent conflict ... significant
challenges remain,'' Gen. George Casey, the Army's chief of staff, wrote
lawmakers.
The Navy and Air Force also identified a multibillion-dollar budget gap in
what is known on Capitol Hill as service ''wish lists.''
An annual tradition, the services give Congress details on every item and
weapons program they wish could have been included in the president's budget
request to Congress, but were denied because of financial constraints. The
lawmakers, who request the lists, use them to develop spending legislation.
Democrats, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, are looking for new
ways to challenge Bush on the Iraq war. Lacking enough votes to force troops
home, Democrat are expected in the months ahead to try to focus on the cost
of the war and allegations of contractor abuse.
Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said
Thursday he wants hearings on the matter.
As long as Iraqi officials and contractors ''continue to profit from
corruption and an unchecked ability to commit fraud, waste and abuse, there
is little incentive for anyone to make the progress that would assist the
United States and the rest of the international community in departing,''
said Byrd, D-W.Va.
Democrats on the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense are preparing
legislation that could allot as much as $100 billion to the military in the
current budget year, but likely insist troops come home by the end of the
year.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated she is in no hurry to provide the
military the money. ''I have been told on good authority that our military
has all that it needs until June or July,'' said Pelosi, D-Calif.
In his letter to lawmakers, Casey said it is of ''primary concern'' that
Congress approve before Memorial Day in late May the $102.5 billion the
military needs this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.
As for the Army's 2009 wish list, Casey said the $3.9 billion focuses on
equipment for its National Guard. Items include fire trucks, GPS technology,
small arms, night-vision goggles and water purification systems.
''Accelerating funding for these items would help to ensure that Guard units
continue to fulfill a critical role in supporting civil authorities in
domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes,
floods and earthquakes,'' he wrote.
The Marine Corps' $3 billion list includes $1.7 billion for a new amphibious
force ship. Other items include lightweight howitzers, armored vehicles and
day care centers in Hawaii and North Carolina. The Navy's $4.6 billion wish
list included the $1.7 billion amphibious force ship as well.
The Air Force identified the heftiest wish list, identifying some $18.8
billion in ''unfunded requirements.'' Its list included almost $668 million
to correct a backlog in equipment maintenance and $600 million to buy four
F-22 fighters.