Defense Drumbeats

Washington Post Criticizes Obama Libya Strategy

Apr 18, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
The contradictions at the heart of U.S. policy in Libya are becoming more acute.

McKeon to Appear on C-SPAN’s Newsmakers This Sunday

Apr 15, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) will appear on C-SPAN’s Newsmakers program this Sunday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. In addition to watching the Newsmaker program on C-SPAN on Sunday, you can also watch online by visiting C-SPAN’s website.

Armed Services Committee Schedule for the Week of April 11, 2011

Apr 11, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Washington, D.C.—As House Armed Services Committee members transition from oversight hearings to writing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) today released the hearing schedule for the week of April 11. The hearings will feature testimony on Arlington National Cemetery, Guantanamo detainee transfer policies and recidivism, and the military construction (MILCON) requests for the military services:

McKeon, Smith Letter to Gates, Holder:

Apr 7, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Today’s “Inside the Ring” column in the Washington Times features a letter sent by Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon and Judiciary Committee Lamar Smith to Secretary of Defense Gates and Attorney General Holder regarding the Administration’s

House of Representatives Prepares to Vote on Troop Funding Bill

Apr 7, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a troop funding bill that would ensure troops get paid on time this month, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) on Monday sought to reassure American servicemen and women that a deal could be struck to avoid any disruptions in pay.

Top Security Think Tank: Act Soon or China Will Match U.S. Military Power in 15-20 Years

Apr 5, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Washington, D.C. —In its 2011 edition of The Military Balance, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), one of the top security think tanks in the world, drew ominous conclusions about global developments in defense policy and armed forces. Speaking to Reuters, IISS head Dr. John Chipman warned, “The United States has always said it would never let another power get to parity so in the next few years it is going to have to make some very significant decisions on what it does.” ...

Armed Services Committee Schedule for the Week of April 4, 2011

Apr 1, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the hearing schedule for the week of April 4, which includes updates on the military operations in Libya, humanitarian efforts in Japan and the Pentagon’s repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law and policies. The Armed Services Committee hearing schedule for the week of April 4th follows:

Vote to Cut Wasteful Spending

Mar 30, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
You may be familiar with the Congressional Republicans’ YouCut Program—a first-of-its-kind project designed to defeat the permissive culture of runaway spending in Congress. It allows you to vote, both online and on your cell phone, on spending cuts that you want to see enacted by the House of Representatives. Rep. Allen West, who offered three separate pieces of legislation to cut wasteful defense spending, will take the winning item and offer it to the full House for an up-or-down vote. This will allow you to see where your representative stand on your priorities. This week’s YouCut vote is focused on wasteful defense spending featuring three potential areas of saving: 1. Reduce printing and reproduction budget by 10% 2. Reduce funding for Defense studies, analysis and evaluations 3. Restrict payout of annual nationwide adjustment and locality pay for below satisfactory workers

Hearing on Libya to Feature Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Mar 30, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today announced Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen

Concerns About Libya Still Present After Address to Nation

Mar 29, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

On Wednesday, the Armed Services Committee will hear from the leaders of SOUTHCOM, NORTHCOM, and EUCOM for their respective budget requests.

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