Tension Mounts on Capitol Hill Over Defense Budget

Strategic Insights -

Key players on Capitol Hill are locked in a high-stakes battle over the 1996 defense budget, with Republican senators pushing for increased spending while budget leaders seek to rein in costs. The conflict pits defense authorizers and appropriators, who want to add to the Clinton administration's $246 billion request, against budget leaders committed to deficit reduction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), is pushing to add $12.5 billion to the FY '96 defense budget, which would bring it to $270 billion.
  • Budget leaders, including House Budget Committee Chair John Kasich (R-Ohio), are resisting these efforts, arguing that adding more money to defense would interfere with deficit reduction goals.
  • The House and Senate Budget Committees are expected to set the defense spending topline somewhere above the Clinton request, but not as high as some congressional defense authorizers and appropriators would like.
  • Clashes are also emerging over ballistic missile defense, with some Republicans pushing for increased spending despite concerns from deficit hawks.
  • Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee are suggesting that a third Seawolf submarine, the LHD-7 amphibious assault ship, more B-2 bombers, an extra DDG-51 destroyer, the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter, or the Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles be funded.
  • Traditionally, appropriators have wielded significant power over defense spending, but Kasich's position as top House budgeter may give him a stronger hand in this year's budget negotiations.
  • Some Republicans are pushing for a freeze on defense spending at the FY '95 level of $270 billion, which would be $12.5 billion above the Clinton administration's FY '96 request.

Statistics:

  • $246 billion: The Clinton administration's FY '96 budget request for the Department of Defense.
  • $270 billion: The FY '95 defense budget request, which is the level at which Senate Republicans are pushing to freeze defense spending.
  • $12.5 billion: The amount by which the FY '95 defense budget is higher than the Clinton administration's FY '96 request.
  • 6 years: The duration of the Clinton administration's six-year defense spending plan.
  • 2002: The year by which the budget is expected to be balanced.
  • 15-20%: The percent reduction in defense spending that is expected if Clinton's six-year plan is implemented.
  • $20 billion: The amount that the House Appropriations Committee is expected to trim from the defense budget in its markup.

Sources:

  • Defense Daily, January 26
  • The Washington Times, February 15
  • Congressional aides and analysts, including Steve Kosiak of the Defense Budget Project.