[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DOD NEEDS MORE TRANSPARENCY IN BUDGET PROCESS

  (Mr. FLEMING asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the House Armed 
Services Committee. I am concerned that the Department of Defense has 
become less open and less accountable. Recent actions taken by the 
Pentagon has limited transparency and congressional oversight.
  First, for the first time ever, nondisclosure agreements have been 
required of senior defense officials working on the budget.
  Second, for the first time, routing ship readiness reports are being 
classified. This hampers Congress in its important oversight function 
of the military. The Army was even a no-show at the House Armed 
Services Committee hearing on its top acquisition project.
  Do we want to wait until war to discover we have a hollow fleet or 
inadequate equipment? Congress has the constitutional duty to raise and 
support armies and navies.
  This responsibility requires candid answers from our senior military 
leaders about the FY 2010 budget approval. To quote our President, ``A 
democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires 
transparency.'' Where is this promised transparency?

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