Wicker Calls for Responsible Solutions to Devastating Defense Cuts

Press Release

The automatic defense cuts required by sequestration remain a painful reality in the absence of a balanced plan to reduce America's deficit. Many Americans may be surprised to learn that sequestration does not end with this fiscal year.

The failure to replace these cuts means an additional $52 billion will be slashed from military spending on October 1, when the new fiscal year begins. The reductions amount to roughly 10 percent of the Pentagon's budget and pose a serious threat to the future of the strongest and best fighting force in the world.

Staying Vigilant

Not is not the time to let down our guard. Recent events reiterate the need for a robust U.S. military presence. Provocative rhetoric from North Korea, the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and the prospect of a nuclear Iran are real and formidable threats to American interests and those of our allies. Strong defense capabilities are essential to staying vigilant and prepared.

Sequestration's defense cuts have already reduced Air Force flight hours by 94,000 and completely grounded 17 combat squadrons, or nearly a third of our combat fleet. Top Air Force officials say it could take six months to a year for these squadrons to be combat-ready again. Additional cuts would further weaken military operations -- at a time when U.S. forces may be called upon in unstable regions of the world.

Consequences of Inaction

Although defense makes up only about 20 percent of total federal spending, current law forces the Department of Defense (DOD) to bear 50 percent of sequestration's across-the-board cuts. Under sequestration, the Pentagon's budget will be cut by $492 billion over the next 10 years.

When the Budget Control Act became law, the expectation was that a bipartisan agreement would secure sensible budget savings, or else sequestration's meat-ax cuts totaling $1.2 trillion would take effect. A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was tasked with achieving these savings, and its failure in November 2011 was certainly a significant setback.

But the shortcomings of the so-called "super-committee" did not eliminate the challenge of putting a responsible plan in place to rein in out-of-control government spending. Since then, many of my colleagues and I have called for replacing sequestration with budget solutions that do not jeopardize America's national security and global preeminence.

Meeting the Challenge

It is alarming that the President's latest budget does not take into account the continuation of sequestration or offer practical alternatives. For nearly two years, Republicans in the House of Representatives have passed legislation to replace sequestration, and similar proposals have been introduced in the Senate. However, President Obama and Senate Democrats have refused to work on solutions. At the very least, defense leaders should have the flexibility to ease the painful impact of sequestration by choosing where the cuts fall.

As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am committed to ensuring the resilience of our military while addressing urgent budget challenges. The upcoming markup of the 2014 Defense Authorization Bill will provide a prime opportunity to outline top strategic priorities.

There is no doubt our country's national and economic security depends on reducing high levels of federal debt. In doing so, we must not compromise the readiness of our brave men and women in uniform.

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