House Republicans Push for Increased Defense Spending

Strategic Insights -

House defense appropriations and authorization committees, led by Chairman Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Chairman Floyd Spence (R-S.C.), are advocating for a significant increase in defense spending, not only for FY '96 but also for the next five years. The proposal was discussed in a closed meeting with House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), who expressed the need for time to evaluate the data. The meeting was the first in a series to determine the defense budget's direction, amidst growing tension between Republicans pushing for increased spending and those committed to deficit reduction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House defense appropriations and authorization committees are proposing a defense spending level for FY '96 and the next five years, exceeding the Clinton administration's $246 billion FY '96 budget request.
  • Chairman Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Chairman Floyd Spence (R-S.C.) are advocating for the "Spence-Young Rule," which prioritizes defense programs with specific defense purposes.
  • House leadership is divided on defense spending, with some pushing for increased spending and others committed to deficit reduction.
  • The meeting was the first in a series to determine the defense budget's direction, before the House Budget Committee sets the topline spending level within the next few weeks.
  • House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) expressed the need for time to evaluate the data, while declining to comment on the meeting.
  • Chairman John Kasich (R-Ohio) of the House Budget Committee, who has indicated he does not want to raise the $246 billion defense budget request topline, also declined to speak with reporters after the meeting.

Statistics:

  • The Clinton administration's $246 billion FY '96 budget request for DoD.
  • The House defense appropriations and authorization committees are proposing spending for FY '96 and the next five years (no specific figure cited).
  • The "Spence-Young Rule" prioritizes defense programs with specific defense purposes (no numerical data provided).

Sources:

  • Defense Daily, Jan. 26: "Gingrich calls himself a 'cheap hawk'"
  • Defense Daily, Feb. 7: "Tension grows between Republicans on defense spending"