Senate To Set Fiscal 2012 Defense Budget

 

Photo: Architect of the Capitol

Sep 6, 2011 By Jen DiMascio aerospace daily and defense report

The fiscal 2012 budget may begin to take shape this week when Congress returns from the August recess, but it’s unlikely to offer near-term certainty or good news.

Analysts are already predicting that with just a few weeks left in the fiscal year, Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution that keeps funding at fiscal 2011 levels for some period of time.

Still, Congress will move forward with spending legislation for fiscal 2012. But the agreement to squeeze nearly $1 trillion from the federal deficit reached just before the start of the August recess will push funding levels even further into the basement.

On Sept. 7, the Senate Appropriations Committee meets to set spending for each of its subcommittees — including the panel on defense.

Defense could be looking at a $25 billion reduction, according to a congressional aide. That would be far beyond what the House has already approved, a $9 billion reduction in spending relative to the president’s request. The Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee could mark up the defense bill as early as the week of Sept. 12.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction also begins its work this week.

In the fight to stave off further cuts to defense, conservative think tanks are teaming up to court Super Committee member Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).

The American Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation and Foreign Policy Initiative are bringing Kyl together with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Republican House members Randy Forbes (Va.), Duncan Hunter (Calif.) and Allen West (Fla.) “to promote a sound understanding of the U.S. defense budget and the resource requirements necessary to sustain America’s preeminent military position in a dangerous world.” The event takes place at 12:30 on Sept. 8 in the House Rayburn building.