Washington, D.C. -- Chairman Neil Abercrombie and his House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air & Land Forces began writing the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act this week. This legislation articulates the nation’s defense policy, authorizes all operations of the U.S. Department of Defense and sets priorities for hundreds of billions of dollars in defense spending. Abercrombie’s Subcommittee has specific oversight responsibility for the U.S. Army and Air Force. 

“Our primary goal,” Abercrombie told the Committee, “is to continue seeking the proper balance between the immediate needs of today’s armed forces — especially those deployed in the war in Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq — and the needs of tomorrow’s forces to deter or defeat future threats to the United States.”
 
The Committee unanimously supported his move to cut $200 million from the $3.6 billion requested for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. FCS, still in development, is envisioned as a network of manned and unmanned vehicles and aircraft connected by an impenetrable communications system. Abercrombie noted that the FCS has a history of delays and cost overruns, and continues to operate in violation of many major Department of Defense acquisition policies

The Committee also cut $166-million in funding for development of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, which is produced in Fort Worth, Texas and has seen its production costs double. Instead, funds were moved to National Guard equipment, upgrades for the Abrams tank and other fighting vehicles, and approved money for more C-17 cargo aircraft and F-22 Raptor fighter jets.

The Chairman said the second overriding goal is to “put more sight into Congressional oversight,” particularly with the amazingly complex and incredibly expensive weapons systems over which the Committee has responsibility. 

“This means adding significant levels of visibility and accountability to multi-year, multi-billion dollar development and procurement programs that seem to take on lives and momentum all their own.”   

Abercrombie’s recommendations for policy language and budget were accepted unanimously by the Subcommittee. The full Armed Services Committee will consider all six of its subcommittee recommendations on May 14th.

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