Pentagon paralyzed as partisan political power play prevents progress
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (front right) speaks to Rep. Kevin McCarthy (front left) in the House Chamber as Rep. Tom Kean Jr sits in the row behind them
In response to the unexpected terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, the Defense Department has mobilized additional resources, including an aircraft carrier strike group, air defenses, fighter jets, and hundreds of troops to the Middle East. The goal is to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional war. However, a major roadblock has emerged: Congressional dysfunction has left the Pentagon without the necessary funds to cover the substantial troop buildup.
The military, like other federal agencies, is currently operating under a temporary funding measure that freezes spending at the previous year's levels. This has forced the Pentagon to divert funds from existing operations and maintenance accounts to finance the Middle East troop movements, according to DOD spokesperson Chris Sherwood. President Joe Biden signed the stopgap measure to keep the government operational until lawmakers reach an agreement on a full-year spending bill.
As a consequence of reallocating funds, the Pentagon faces a reduction in money designated for training, exercises, and deployments that had been planned for the year. Sherwood expressed concerns that some of these essential activities might be canceled or delayed. The unexpected nature of the Middle East buildup, not factored into the initial budget requests, has put additional strain on the Defense Department.
Sherwood stated, “Current events have revised some of the operational assumptions used to develop the FY 2024 President’s Budget request. Specifically, neither the base budget request nor the FY 2024 supplemental request included funding for U.S. operations related to Israel. We're taking it out of hide.”
The ongoing troop buildup in the Middle East has prompted military departments and U.S. Central Command to reassess the requirements for current and future operations in response to the developing conflict.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the Pentagon is simultaneously supporting two wars—in Ukraine and Israel. Top Pentagon officials, including Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, have repeatedly warned about the detrimental impact of temporary funding measures on military readiness. Operating under a stopgap measure prevents the initiation of new programs or funding anything beyond the previous year's levels.
Hicks emphasized the gravity of the situation during a Nov. 21 event in Washington, stating, “We’ve gotten used to getting by, CR to CR, but it’s with significant consequence. That has a cost. You can’t buy back the time. You just can’t.”
She estimated that keeping the Pentagon under the stopgap effectively results in a $35 billion cut, highlighting the responsibility to build trust with Congress. However, Hicks emphasized the need for a two-way street, expressing concerns about the ability of Congress to fulfill its responsibilities.
The temporary funding measure is set to expire on Feb. 2, putting the onus on lawmakers to pass a full-year spending bill. If disagreements persist through April, the Pentagon and other federal agencies will face a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation.
Pentagon scrambles to pay for Middle East troop buildup as inadequate funds hinder national security efforts
In response to the unexpected terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, the Defense Department has mobilized additional resources, including an aircraft carrier strike group, air defenses, fighter jets, and hundreds of troops to the Middle East.
The goal is to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional war. However, a major roadblock has emerged: Congressional dysfunction has left the Pentagon without the necessary funds to cover the substantial troop buildup.
Congressional chaos is creating a crisis for military leaders as the Defense Department, like other federal agencies, is currently operating under a temporary funding measure that freezes spending at the previous year’s levels.
This has forced the Pentagon to divert funds from existing operations and maintenance accounts to finance the Middle East troop movements, according to DOD spokesperson Chris Sherwood. President Joe Biden signed the stopgap measure to keep the government operational until lawmakers reach an agreement on a full-year spending bill.
As a consequence of reallocating funds, the Pentagon faces a reduction in money designated for training, exercises, and deployments that had been planned for the year.
Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo by Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Coffer)
Sherwood expressed concerns that some of these essential activities might be canceled or delayed. The unexpected nature of the Middle East buildup, not factored into the initial budget requests, has put additional strain on the Defense Department.
Sherwood stated, “Current events have revised some of the operational assumptions used to develop the FY 2024 President’s Budget request. Specifically, neither the base budget request nor the FY 2024 supplemental request included funding for U.S. operations related to Israel. We’re taking it out of hide.”
The ongoing troop buildup in the Middle East has prompted military departments and U.S. Central Command to reassess the requirements for current and future operations in response to the developing conflict.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the Pentagon is simultaneously supporting two wars—in Ukraine and Israel.
Top Pentagon officials, including Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, have repeatedly warned about the detrimental impact of temporary funding measures on military readiness. Operating under a stopgap measure prevents the initiation of new programs or funding anything beyond the previous year’s levels.
Hicks emphasized the gravity of the situation during a Nov. 21 event in Washington, stating, “We’ve gotten used to getting by, CR to CR, but it’s with significant consequence. That has a cost. You can’t buy back the time. You just can’t.”
She estimated that keeping the Pentagon under the stopgap effectively results in a $35 billion cut, highlighting the responsibility to build trust with Congress. However, Hicks emphasized the need for a two-way street, expressing concerns about the ability of Congress to fulfill its responsibilities.
The temporary funding measure is set to expire on Feb. 2, putting the onus on lawmakers to pass a full-year spending bill. If disagreements persist through April, the Pentagon and other federal agencies will face a 1 percent across-the-board spending cut, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation.
