OPINION:
As bad as the government shutdown could have been (“Congress reaches deal to avert shutdown,” Web, Friday), the new backroom budget deals being made could prove even worse, particularly if Congress reduces support for our troops overseas.
Congress would be wise to heed public opinion polls showing that slashing the defense budget while the United States is engaged in two wars abroad would be a politically deaf move.
Unfortunately, Congress frequently gets things wrong when it comes to defense spending. It has been known to support pork projects the Pentagon doesn’t want and slash funding for critical equipment that our troops need, such as the mobile, secure broadband network that is part of the Army’s Brigade Combat Team Modernization program. Our soldiers in Afghanistan could use this technology now to save lives by sharing intelligence quickly about insurgent ambushes and roadside bombs.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has already done an admirable job of cutting billions in defense spending while safeguarding essential programs. If Congress takes the budget-cutting ax to the Pentagon, however, it could invite the kind of procurement scandal caused by the fatal shortage of body armor during the start of U.S. troop presence in Iraq.
Congress would be wise to heed the polling on defense spending.
ANTONIO GIL MORALES
Past National Commander
American GI Forum of the United States
Fort Worth, Texas
Please read our comment policy before commenting.