Hunter Statement on New Defense Strategy

Statement

Today, the Administration announced a new U.S. national security strategy in preparation for nearly $1 trillion in defense spending cuts over the next decade. Congressman Duncan Hunter, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed strong concerns with the strategy, cautioning against reductions in troop strength and a shift in strategy that no longer prepares the U.S. military for engagements on multiple fronts.

"With such major budget cuts in the pipeline, the Department of Defense must make the necessary preparations, adjusting and shifting resources where needed, while managing the strengths of the U.S. military and understanding its limitations," said Hunter, a Marine veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "With this change in strategy, there's good reason to be concerned with reductions in end strength for the Marine Corps and the Army, and discarding the capability of the U.S. military to engage an enemy on multiple fronts. These adjustments alone could have serious consequences for U.S. national security and underscore the necessity for Congress and the Administration to proceed with caution.

"The U.S. still faces the threat of global terrorism. China continues its rapid militarization. The leadership change in North Korea is creating uncertainty. And Iran showed again this week--after the incident with a U.S. aircraft carrier--that it has no plans of changing course. We really need to ask ourselves whether this is the right time for such a significant change in U.S. defense strategy, brought on by such severe and disproportionate budget cuts. For me, the answer is a resounding no."

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