In the news: Senate Proposes $10 Billion Defense Budget Cut

DefenseNews.com
December 14, 2010

U.S. Senate Proposes $10B Defense Budget Cut
By Rick Maze

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed a $10.3 billion cut in the 2011 defense budget as part of its consolidated federal budget plan.

The cut is included in a $1.1 trillion one-year federal funding measure unveiled Tuesday as lawmakers are trying to wrap up work before the end of the year.

Because Congress had not passed any of the 12 appropriations bills needed to keep the government running for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, federal agencies have operated under temporary funding that expires at midnight on Saturday.

Under the Senate's consolidated bill, defense spending for fiscal 2011 would total $667 billion, including $157.8 billion for contingency operations.

The 2011 full-year funding bill approved by the House of Representatives on Dec. 8 includes $513 billion in basic defense spending plus the $157.8 billion for contingency operations. This combines for funding that is about $4 billion more than the Senate bill.

While those differences make it appear that Congress is close to an agreement, it is far from a done deal.

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