[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCING THE DEFENSE AND DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2011

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Defense and 
Deficit Reduction Act, legislation that will reduce defense spending 
and thereby decrease the deficit over the next 5 years. This 
legislation serves as an addendum to the Majority's H. Res. 38, a 
resolution that reduces all non-defense discretionary spending to 2008 
levels. If all other discretionary spending is slated for cuts under 
the Republican plan, then defense should not be exempt.
  My bill will reduce government spending by over $36 billion this year 
and about $182 billion over the next 5 years. The legislation then 
requires that these funds be dedicated to reducing the deficit. As 
defense constitutes almost 60 percent of all discretionary spending, it 
only makes sense that it be included when other discretionary spending 
is being cut. These figures cannot and should not be ignored.
  Even Department of Defense Secretary Gates has acknowledged the need 
for defense spending reductions saying, ``We must come to realize that 
not every defense program is necessary, not every defense dollar is 
sacred or well-spent, and more of everything is simply not 
sustainable.''
  Going back to 2008 levels of defense spending would be approximately 
a 5 percent reduction. With the President reducing the number of troops 
in Afghanistan starting this year, we should be able to lessen our 
current spending on war costs. We also have the support of the American 
people. According to a recent CBS News Poll, over 50 percent of 
Americans believe we should reduce defense spending to decrease the 
Federal deficit. Making reductions to the defense budget can help solve 
our Nation's long-term fiscal problems.
  If the new Majority in Congress really wants to lower the deficit as 
they claim to, then they must take all spending into consideration.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in working to rein in wasteful 
spending and support the Defense and Deficit Reduction Act.

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