Documents: Obama to request (8%) Pentagon budget hike

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/01/documents-obama-request-pentagon-budget-hike

Documents: Obama to request Pentagon budget hike
By Andrew Taylor
The Associated Press
© January 28, 2015

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama will ask Congress for a hefty, almost 8 percent boost for the Pentagon, including $5.3 billion to equip and train Iraqi soldiers and moderate Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

The increases would allow for 57 new next-generation F-35 fighters, nine new ships and submarines, and construction of new long-range Air Force tankers. Refueling and an overhaul of the aircraft carrier George Washington, which the Navy had sought to delay last year — only to be overruled by Congress — would cost $678 million.

Obama will ask for $534 billion for the core budget of the Defense Department — a $38 billion increase — according to "pre-decisional" Pentagon documents obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday. That means there could be some slight changes when the budget actually comes out Monday.

The Pentagon witnessed major budget cuts with the imposition of so-called budget sequestration in 2013 and has been held at a freeze since then. Military brass say the bleaker budgets have forced cuts in flying hours, troop training and maintenance of military equipment. The agency was due for just a $3 billion increase under caps set in a 2011 budget pact.

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Evidently sequestration is for takers, NOT 'makers'.

[Scuba]

1. Same as Social Security, right?

[bemildred]

2. Oh good Lord. nt

[Fred Sanders]

3. What is a "pre-decisional" Pentagon document? Has it even been seen outside the Pentagon?

Sounds like pre-mature specualation to attack the war loving President...cough.

This is a Pentagon wish list. - what do folks think they would wish for, a reduction?

Buying on the rumor and selling on the facts is what modern media does.

But please, carry on, do not let reality spoil the Obama-bashing fun times, seems the cool kids are into it.

[think]

4. Sigh.... /nt

[jakeXT]

5. The New American Century is long and certainly not for free /nt