House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, was joined at a press conference Wednesday by HASC Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry, Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Chairman Michael Turner, and Senators Inhofe, Ayotte, McCain, and Graham, where they unveiled the Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2013.

McKeon made the following statement on this proposal:

“Yesterday, the President opened the door to a short term resolution of sequestration, but his proposal is unbalanced, irresponsible and unacceptable. Moreover, he never suggested that his proposal was intended to buy time to fix the real drivers of our debt.

“The Down Payment to Protect National Security Act of 2013 would prevent a further round of cuts in Fiscal Year 2013 from hitting our military as a result of sequestration, beyond the $46 billion reduction already imposed over the last two years as part of the President’s budget-driven defense strategy.  The President’s first round of cuts significantly reduced military end strength, impacted force readiness, and curtailed modernization.  Another round of cuts required as a result of full sequestration would devastate our Armed Forces.”

“Republicans don’t want to go into sequester, but the President will force us there if he insists on a plan that shirks his responsibility to the troops, that is bad for national security and bad for the economy.

“There are better ways to resolve the President’s sequester plan. I am proud to join Senators Kelly Ayotte and Jim Inhofe as well other HASC and SASC Members in promoting this common sense responsible plan to restore readiness, resolve sequestration, and buy time to negotiate a truly balanced solution that addresses the real drivers of our debt.”

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