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Proposed Republican budget cuts everything but defense spending; Polis says cutting troop numbers in Europe could save $378 million
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — Instead of cutting already emaciated public lands and environmental budgets, Congressman Jared Polis says his budget amendment to cut American troop strength in Europe could have trimmed $278 million in spending.
But House Republicans, who would rather slash EPA funding, defeated the measure last week.
The Polis amendment would have reduced the American troop count in Europe from more than 80,000 to 35,000 and cut overall troop size 7,500 troops in the next six months.
“If we are serious about deficit reduction, then we need to get our ballooning defense budget under control,” said Polis. “My amendment would save hundreds of millions of dollars by getting most of the 80,000 troops out of Europe where they are no longer wanted or needed. We are no longer guarding against the Nazis or the Soviets. If we are to seriously tackle the budget deficit, we must find savings in every agency, including the Department of Defense, and reducing our military presence in Europe is the perfect place to start.”
The House of Representatives will vote this week on H.R. 1, the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, to fund federal government operations for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. This Republican legislation makes draconian cuts to virtually every sector of the federal government, except for the Defense Department.
“Our European allies are some of the richest countries in the world,” said Polis. “Why then are we subsidizing their defense spending? There is no reason for us to continue European defense spending while we every other aspect of our government is being severely cut.If Europe has made the decision that it can afford to spend less on defense and still feel secure, then we should be confident that we can spend less on their defense as well.”
Polis’ amendment would have limited the number of American troops stationed in Europe to 35,000. It also cuts 7,500 from the overall troop level over the next six months, as part of a two-year reduction of 30,000 troops, saving taxpayers $278 million according to the Congressional Budget Office.
These provisions are line with the recommendations of the Sustainable Defense Task Force report sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon).
Filed under: Colorado, federal government Tagged: | balanced budget, Barney Frank, Congressional Budget Office, Congressman Jared Polis, federal budget deficit, Military budget, Ron Paul, Ron Wyden, Summit County News, United States, US defense spending
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For once I find myself agreeing with Rep. Polis. I do caution that the European bases are used as primary staging areas for deployment to other theaters of operation, and that this should be taken into account. There is a difference between a troop on a tour of duty, and a deployment staged for transport to a critical area of operations. Let’s be certain that this is not an attempt to reduce readiness in current operations, and then absolutely demand that the European nations take over their own defense needs.
I would be remiss if I did not point out that historically, the Europeans have been largely incompetent in this regard. One need only count the number of dead in European conflicts to arrive at this conclusion.
I also think that would only be a first step toward a serious look at defense spending. I wouldn’t advocate sacrificing preparedness, but I am sure there are some huge savings to be had within the defense bureaucracy.