SECRETARY RUMSFELD, GENERAL MYERS, WE WELCOME YOU BACK BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE AT THIS IMPORTANT TIME FOR OUR NATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. WE ALSO WELCOME THE ACTING COMPTROLLER, LARRY LANZILLOTTA.
THE FOCUS OF OUR HEARING TODAY IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 DEFENSE BUDGET. THIS IS OUR NORMALLY SCHEDULED HEARING WHERE WE ASK THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF TO TESTIFY AT THE END OF OUR HEARING CYCLE AND PROVIDE THEIR IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVES ON THE BUDGET.
LAST WEEK WE LEARNED A FISCAL YEAR 2005 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST TOTALING $25 BILLION IS FORTHCOMING. WE PLAN TO HOLD A SEPARATE HEARING ON THAT REQUEST WHEN MORE DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE. I URGE MEMBERS TO DEFER THEIR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL UNTIL THAT TIME.
SADLY, WE HAVE ALSO LEARNED A LOT OVER THE PAST WEEK ABOUT THE ABUSE OF IRAQI INMATES AT ABU GHRAIB PRISON. THESE ACTIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY APPALLING AND AN EMBARASSMENT TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY. CONGRESS MUST AND SHALL INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IT IS MY VIEW, HOWEVER, THAT PRIMARY JURISDICTION OF THIS ISSUE LIES WITH THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE.
THIS COMMITTEE NEEDS TO FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON THE FUNDING REQUIRED TO TRAIN AND EQUIP OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM.
OUR MILITARY REMAINS ENGAGED IN CRITICAL MISSIONS IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, AND OTHER AREAS AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US TO EXERCISE OUR DUE DILLIGENCE IN REVIEWING THE $401.7 BILLION DEFENSE SPENDING REQUEST BEFORE US. WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT IS PROPERLY RESOURCED TO WIN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. FAILURE IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS NOT AN OPTION.
MR. SECRETARY, GENERAL MYERS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING TODAY ABOUT YOUR PRIORITIES IN THE CURRENT BUDGET REQUEST, AS WELL AS ANY OPERATIONAL UPDATE YOU MAY WISH TO PROVIDE.
WE WILL MAKE YOUR FULL STATEMENTS A PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S RECORD.
EACH MEMBER WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES IN THE OPENING ROUND OF QUESTIONS. TIME PERMITTING, WE WILL PROCEED WITH A SECOND ROUND OF QUESTIONING.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN WITH YOUR OPENING STATEMENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUE FROM HAWAII IF HE HAS ANY OPENING REMARKS.
SECRETARY RUMSFELD AND GENERAL MYERS, WE APPRECIATE YOUR INFORMATIVE TESTIMONY TODAY. WE WISH YOU AND OUR FORCES WELL IN THE DIFFICULT MONTHS AHEAD.
THIS HEARING CONCLUDES OUR PLANNED HEARINGS ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2005 DEFENSE BUDGET. THE COMMITTEE WILL SCHEDULE A HEARING ON THE FORTHCOMING SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST WHEN MORE DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE.
