President Obama Using Armed Forces as Bargaining Chip, Byrne Says

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) today accused President Barack Obama of using defense spending as a bargaining chip during a time of war. Congressman Byrne’s comments followed President Obama on Wednesday calling for any increase in defense spending to be matched with an increase to domestic spending.

Congressman Byrne, who has consistently warned about the negative impact of cuts to our national defense, insisted that Congress and the President work together to increase defense spending to ensure our military men and women have the resources they need to combat Islamic extremists around the globe.

Byrne said: “President Obama says we are at war with Islamic terrorist groups in the Middle East, like the Islamic State, and I agree with him. Yesterday, he called on Congress to eliminate the cuts to defense spending called for in the Budget Control Act in light of the fact that we are at war and must give our forces the support they need to win.  I agree with him about that too.

"But, the President goes on to say that he would only agree to increases in defense spending if Congress also agrees to increase spending by the same proportion for domestic programs.  President Obama needs to realize that he cannot be the Commander-in-Chief our armed forces need if he is also using them as a budgetary bargaining chip. Let's agree across party lines that our national security is a paramount priority and fund what is necessary to support our troops.

"The President makes the mistake of believing that we can pay for 'guns’ and 'butter' during war time – a mistake we made in the 1960’s resulting in destructive inflation, and in the 2000’s, resulting in unacceptable budget deficits. We are far enough past the Great Recession that the government needs to get out of the business of making 'butter’ to allow private sector businesses to make all the 'butter' we need.

“The President and Congress must find common ground to undo sequestration's deleterious effects on our nation’s defense. Budgetary savings should not come at the cost of military readiness, especially not when we’re at war. And Washington must not let the federal spending crisis precipitate a national security crisis.

"If given the chance, I will vote to increase defense spending because that is in the best interest of the American people. I call on the President to stand up and act like a real Commander-in-Chief and quit trying to bargain with the Congress by holding defense spending hostage.”