McKeon Comments on Republican Budget Proposal

Statement

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon made the following statement, after today's release of the Republican Budget Proposal.

"Chairman Ryan has drafted a budget that puts us back on the path to prosperity. His plan is full of tough choices, but I am pleased he recognizes that our men and women in uniform have paid for enough of those choices. While our nation's defense consumes less than 20% of the federal budget, it has paid for 50% of deficit reduction efforts to date. Rather than pursuing a course that takes our military right to the razors edge, Chairman Ryan has put our military on a path to rebuild after a decade at war. Rather than hampering our troops with the specter of blind and massive cuts in the years to come, Chairman Ryan pays down sequestration for the first year; giving us all time to find a comprehensive solution. This is a budget our military can live with, and one I am happy to support."

In a speech at the Reagan Library last week, McKeon highlighted the need to rebuild the military after decades of war and to pay down the first year of sequestration. Last year, McKeon introduced HR 3662, the Downpayment For National Security Act, a bill that will also pay for the first year of sequestration for defense and non-defense spending. Reacting to the budget proposal in light of his remarks last week, McKeon said:

"Chairman Ryan's approach is consistent with my call to avert sequestration and rebuild our military. I look forward to working with him to achieve a responsible federal budget that funds an effective military capable of meeting the threats America faces."

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