Charles Skelton: “yesterday, I introduced the Defense Budget Restoration Act. At a time when the United States is at war, I am sorry to…”

“yesterday, I introduced the Defense Budget Restoration Act. At a time when the United States is at war, I am sorry to say that this bill is necessary. To use a common phrase in relation to pressing military needs--``The Emperor has no clothes.'' Let me explain: In the wake of the ruthless terrorist attacks that killed thousands of innocent civilians on September 11, the United States has undertake a global war on terrorism. This war requires the use of U.S. military capabilities on a major scale in multiple theaters of operation simultaneously. President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld have repeatedly told the American people that this war will not be resolved quickly and will likely continue for a period of years. Already military operational tempo has increased, creating greater military spending and straining the ability of U.S. forces to meet all the demands placed on them. Because of this situation, the Armed Services Committee has been questioning the service chiefs and the commanders-in-chief of the combatant commands about their current and future military needs. Several of them have testified that they need more manpower and other military capabilities to do the jobs they've been asked to do-- including winning the war on terrorism. Our warfighters need more weapons systems, support equipment, facilities and other resources to fight the battles of this war now and in the future.…”