Defense Drumbeats

Former CIA Director Supports Affirmation of the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force Provision

May 25, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Washington, D.C.---Former CIA Director and Air Force General Michael Hayden wrote to the Armed Service Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), offering support and thanks for including an affirmation of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in this year’s defense bill. 

Broad Support for Updated Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against al-Qaeda and Affiliated Terrorist Groups

May 18, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Washington, D.C. (Permalink) -  Two major newspaper editorial boards and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution have decried accusations that a provision in the National Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 would expand the war on terrorism.

McKeon Differs with White House on Defense Policy

May 6, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Yesterday, the Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) spoke before the Heritage Foundation, outlining his vision for a robust defense force meant to meet current and future national security challenges. This vision stands in contrast to the Obama Administration’s proposal to cut $400 billion dollars from the defense budget over the next 12

McKeon Supports JSF Partnership for Fair Competition at No Taxpayer Expense

May 6, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
With GE and Rolls-Royce promising to fund the program, taxpayers can now realize the benefits of competition at no expense.

GE, Rolls Royce JSF Partnership Receives Wide Coverage

May 6, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
During a speech at the Heritage Foundation today, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee announced his support for a new and innovative approach to fund weapons procurement in tough fiscal times.

News of the partnership circulated quickly and below is some of the coverage from today’s announcement:

McKeon Speaks at Heritage Foundation

May 5, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Chairman Buck McKeon spoke before the Heritage Foundation on May 5 for the opening address in the Protect America Month series. The full text of the speech is below: (PDF Version availalbe here) Howard P. “Buck” McKeon Speech to the Heritage Foundation May 5, 2011 Thank you Dr. Holmes, and thank you to the Heritage Foundation for hosting me this morning. I don’t think there’s a better way to open your Protect America month than by offering heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the team that eliminated Osama Bin Laden. To fly deep into Pakistani territory and successfully attack an entrenched enemy on his home turf, well… that’s not an easy thing to do. Their professionalism and courage brings great credit on themselves and the United States of America. ...

NDAA Resources Home

May 3, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Visit the NDAA Homepage for information related to the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Latest Information includes all amendments and roll call votes.

In Case You Missed It:

Apr 29, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Chairman McKeon published an op-ed today discussing the Obama Administration’s announced plan to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from the defense budget over a 12 year period. McKeon expressed heavy skepticism and issued a warning about the cuts in the USA

New Level of Transparency for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Apr 29, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to begin consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) next week, bringing a new level of transparency to this once closed process. In addition to the new procedure recently introduced to amend the legislation, the committee will utilize a more transparent system to provide media, interested parties, and the general public with access to the legislation prior to it being considered by our Members. Chairman McKeon is going above and beyond new House requirements to post all bill language online the day before consideration by a full committee or one of its subcommittees. In fact, he has instructed Armed Services Committee professional staff to post the descriptive section-by-section analysis and Directive Report Language in addition to bill language....

Sen. Reid Suggests Americans Right to Have Short Attention Span on Afghanistan War

Apr 20, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
In an interview last Thursday, the Senate’s top Democrat, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.), said he doubted the U.S. military would be successful in Afghanistan. Aides rushed to say that Senator Reid supports the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, but failed to clarify unfortunate remarks by the Senate Majority Leader in which he suggests that Americans are right to have a short attention span on the Afghanistan war.

Pages