Pelosi Statement on Secretary Gates' Announcement to Streamline Department of Defense Budget

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a series of steps to find efficiencies within the Department of Defense's budget:

"The first responsibility of the Congress and all of our nation's leaders is to protect the American people. To fulfill that duty, we must honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform by giving them the resources they need to succeed on battlefields abroad and keep us safe here at home.

"In meeting our solemn obligation to the security of all Americans, we must also uphold our commitment to future generations by pursuing a path of fiscal discipline whenever possible.

"Today, Secretary Gates announced clear steps to reach both of these goals. He took a hard look at the Defense Department's budget and made tough decisions to cut expenses and freeze spending. He ensured that his fiscal proposals would give our service members everything they need to succeed in combat. In a critical step, the Secretary announced we would reduce our reliance on private contractors – putting critical functions of national security where they belong: in the hands of sworn and highly-trained military and intelligence officials.

"I commend Secretary Gates for taking steps toward greater fiscal restraint in the Defense Department. The House looks forward to reviewing all of his proposals and conducting appropriate oversight."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

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