William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “every year during the debate on the budget, someone says it is about more than just numbers, it is about priorities.…”

“every year during the debate on the budget, someone says it is about more than just numbers, it is about priorities. Certainly since September 11, the priorities of the country have changed. National security is not just something that happens in a military base or in some far-off country. It touches every household, every workplace, every school and hospital in the country. National security is the first priority of the country, and it is the first priority of this budget. The first paragraph of the President's budget submission says that the war against terrorism is a war unlike any other in American history. We did not choose this war, but we will not shrink from it; and we will mobilize all the necessary resources of our society to fight and to win. That is what this budget does. It mobilizes the resources necessary to fight and win the war against terrorism. The budget provides $46 billion, or a 13 percent increase, in defense. Some people think that is too much. Other people do not think it is enough. The committee decided to go with what the President recommended, giving him all of the resources he has asked for to fight this war. We also support the President in focusing on the troops with a 4.1 percent pay hike for the troops as well as an additional 2 percent for some specially targeted mid-career personnel.”