Defence chief, top general defend US budget, say Congress must show it is serious about cuts The USA Times

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Defence chief, top general defend US budget, say Congress must show it is serious about cuts

WASHINGTON - Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and the top U.S. military leader are defending the Pentagon's slimmed-down, $614 billion budget, telling senators it is time to show they are serious about reducing the deficit.

Panetta tells the Senate Armed Services Committee the cuts have been carefully planned and there's little room for changes. He cautions that the reductions will hit all 50 states.

Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Martin Dempsey says the reductions will not lead to a military in decline, but rather will help the armed forces maintain their decisive edge and "help sustain America's global leadership."

The two are testifying before a House panel the day after President Barack Obama's budget was unveiled.

They are certain to meet resistance from lawmakers who have expressed concerns about cuts undermining the country's national security.