Services talk budget directly with OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

[sabra]

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2112493.php

Services talk budget directly with OMB

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has allowed the military services to press their case for larger budgets directly with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which according to sources has balked at increasing future year defense spending to meet the services’ projected needs.

The move is particularly critical for the Army, which wants $141 billion in 2008 alone — $30 billion more than the $111.8 billion requested last year — sources said. The direct discussions between the uniformed services and OMB are unprecedented, according to sources. Usually, the individual military services have to negotiate their annual budgets with the senior civilian leaders of the Pentagon, including the defense secretary and the comptroller.

...

Politics may be a factor in the White House involvement, sources said. Army complaints about a lack of resources just weeks before congressional elections in November could become Democratic ammunition to paint the Republican leadership as weak in supporting the military.

One person familiar with the OMB-services discussions, however, said the budget deliberations could be dragged out beyond the November elections, thereby undercutting political value of the issue.

[underpants]

1. They have to so that no one in the military has to rely on foodstamps

uh they did end that didn't they? I mean now that they have control of everything, I know it was a BIG concern of theirs when Clinton was President.

[BootinUp]

2. Interesting...on second thought, nothing to see here.

(We haven't actually approved or denied any increase.)