Turner Pledges to Make Strong Defense a Top Priority

Representative Michael R. Turner (Centerville) pledged to vote to keep the United States defense a top budget priority. In a letter that will be sent to Committee on the Budget Chairman, Rep. Jim Nussle (IA-1), House Armed Services Committee Members, including Rep. Turner, state that they "will vote against any budget resolution that cuts the President's budget request for national defense."

Congressman Turner said, "The United States continues to fight the War on Terrorism worldwide. Winning that war is the greatest challenge facing this great nation. Protecting the homeland and every citizen's safety are the federal government's greatest obligations and by logical extension must be the top priority reflected in the federal budget. Therefore, I will vote against any budget resolution that cuts the President's national defense budget request."

The President's fiscal year 2005 budget request calls for $420.7 billion for national defense.

Rep. Turner continued, "I believe cutting the defense budget would send the wrong message to our troops (and their families) currently deployed in the war on terrorism as well as those who would do the United States harm. History demonstrates we can achieve peace through strength. The President's budget calls for a strong defense."