A “Scorecard” For The Coming Defense Budget Cuts

(Washington, D.C.): The Center for Security Policy today released a paper identifying key national security priorities and programs that must be protected as the executive and legislative branches begin making reductions in the defense budget. The paper, entitled A Scorecard on the Defense Budget: Preserving Key Priorities and Programs in an Era of Cuts, defines those capabilities which the Center believes are essential to the future security of the United States and which must, therefore, be safeguarded from the budget axe.

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., the Center’s director, said, "We do not believe that significant cuts in the defense budget are either warranted or advisable at this time. To the contrary, the unfolding crisis in the Soviet Union and the emergence of new and frightening military capabilities — such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the ability to deliver them by ballistic missile — which are now coming into the hands of an increasing number of third countries argue for enhancing, not diminishing, our security posture."

Gaffney added, "If the executive and legislative branches are determined to make reductions in the defense budget, however, we believe it is imperative that certain priorities be observed and certain military capabilities be protected. The Center, drawing upon the considerable practical experience of members of its Board of Advisors with the defense policy, budgeting and programmatic planning processes has prepared a ‘scorecard’ by which the current budget can be judged."

The Center intends to issue updates to this paper which will evaluate the consistency of the various budget proposals offered by the Bush Administration, the congressional committees and, ultimately, the full Congress with the priorities and capabilities called for in A Scorecard on the Defense Budget.

Copies of this analysis and requests for future updates may be obtained by contacting the Center.