Jeff Denham: “It is crucial in this time of limited budgets that we transfer funds from those programs which are either duplicative or…”

“It is crucial in this time of limited budgets that we transfer funds from those programs which are either duplicative or ineffective to the highest priority uses for the Department, such as maintaining readiness and taking care of our personnel. With that in mind, I have introduced a limiting amendment to prohibit the Department of Defense from using funds to implement the Trans-Regional Web Initiative. This program consists of a series of general news Web sites that cater to foreign audiences. The Department requested $19.7 million to continue this effort during fiscal year 2014. An April 2013 GAO report found that the TRWI program lacks meaningful performance metrics and is poorly coordinated with other U.S. Government public diplomacy programs. I want to put this $19.7 million in perspective. With this money, the Army National Guard could have retained 2,000 soldiers of the 4,000 it has been forced to reduce from its end strength due to budget cuts. That is 2,000 guardsmen who could be supporting our active component, responding to natural disasters, or securing our border. Instead, that money is going to Web sites providing entertainment news and lifestyle advice to the Balkans and Middle East. It is important to remember that the United States already spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year in providing quality, independent journalism overseas through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.…”