The 2008 Defense Budget

The House Appropriations Committee passed a Defense Appropriations bill (which has several legislative steps that will likely produce changes before it becomes law). The highlights:

Cuts
* Kills the armed reconnaissance helicopter program
* Significant cuts in missile defense spending (about 10% less than last year)
* A 13% cut in the R&D budget for the "Future Combat System" of the Army

All three programs have promised more than they have delivered.

Limitations
* More oversight of military contractors
* More rules for U.S. funded mercenaries (i.e. "security function" contractors) in Iraq and Afghanistan
* Ban on permanent bases in Iraq
* Ban on torture
* Ban on transfers of DOD funds for new purposes without Congressional appproval

This is closing loopholes which might otherwise permit backdoor implementation of war and terrorism policies Congress doesn't like.

Growth
* Grows active duty Army by 7,000 soldiers
* Grows active duty Marines by 5,000 soldiers

Stuff
* Full funding for continued development of the Marine Expedititionary Fighting Vehicle
* 20 new F-22s
* A new Stryker Brigade
* More than full funding for the F-35 program, including a buy of 6 F-35As and 6 F-35Bs
* 21 MV-22 Ospreys for the Marines
* 5 CV-22s for the Air Force.
* 52 new Blackhawk helicopters
* The President requested $460 million for 4 new sealift ships; Congress wants to spend $1.87 billion on sealift
* 2 LPD-17 amphibious transport docks
* 1 new SSN-774 attack submarine
* 1 CBN-78 aircraft carrier
* 1 Littoral Combat ship
* Continued funding of 2 DDG-1000 destroyers
* Continued funding of 1 LHA-6 amphibious assault ship