Press Releases
January 27, 2012
Secretary Panetta/Chairman Dempsey release FY2013 Defense Budget Proposal
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today reacted to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey’s roll out of more specific proposals in the Fiscal Year 2013 Department of Defense (DoD) Budget Proposal. The budget submission is based on five strategic areas of interest: a smaller and leaner military, a balanced global posture in areas of concern (Asia Pacific and Middle East), a balanced force in Europe, a force that is quick to confront and defeat the enemy on more than one front, and to protect DoD’s technological investments and equipment. The new proposal would cut nearly $259 billion from the defense budget in the first five years with a total reduction of $487 billion over a ten year period.
"The initial budget roll out continues to show this Administration's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the military build-up on Guam” said Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo. "While we await more concrete details from the Department, I appreciate the recognition that the U.S. must play an important role in regional stability for the Asia-Pacific region. However, I am concerned about some proposed end strength and acquisition program changes that could create a hollow force in the Air National Guard. In particular, I am concerned about the proposal to divest the C-27J program and that impact on homeland defense. Further I am concerned about the proposal to terminate the Global Hawk Block 30 program and its potential impact on ISR capabilities at Andersen AFB and our region. I will work with my colleagues in the House Armed Services Committee to closely scrutinize these proposals once the President's Budget is formally transmitted to Congress."