Guest Blog: Rep. Todd Akin on Budgeting for the Common Defense

Rep. Todd Akin / March 31, 2011

Next week, the House Budget Committee will consider the fiscal year 2012 budget resolution in what is expected to be a marathon committee markup.  The committee faces a dire budget reality; with entitlement spending that is absorbing essentially all of our federal income, while non-security discretionary spending is dramatically increasing. We now borrow roughly forty cents of every dollar we spend.  In this grim budget situation, we must dramatically cut federal spending and reform entitlements. However, I do not believe that all government spending is equal. Instead, I believe that the Constitution lays out certain responsibilities that are essential and can only be accomplished by the federal government—primarily providing for a common defense.

Next week, I expect to see amendments in the Budget Committee that will cut defense spending–either to transfer defense funds to domestic spending priorities, or simply to reduce the size of our deficit.  I believe reducing defense spending right now is a bad idea—let me explain why. (more…)