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Armed Services Committee Leadership Announces Bipartisan Fiscal Management Panel

Jul 12, 2011 Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC  – On Wednesday, July 12, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) announced the formation of a special bipartisan panel to address the ongoing challenge of financial management in the Pentagon, selecting Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) to lead this effort.

Will Further Defense Cuts Hurt Our National Security?

Jul 12, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
After cutting $400 billion in defense programs since taking office, President Obama is now targeting more defense cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling in his negotiations with Congress. These proposed cuts follow a similar Obama Administration tactic of naming an arbitrary number to cut without regard to our national security.

McKeon on 9th Circuit Don't Ask Don't Tell Ruling

Jul 7, 2011 Press Release
Washington, DC  – On July 6th, the U.S. 9thCircuit Court of Appeals ruled that gays and lesbians must be allowed to serve openly in the military, effective immediately. Though the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is scheduled to be repealed, the Pentagon had requested time to certify the policy’s effect on combat operations. That certification has yet to be completed, and incoming Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has not signed off on the repeal. 

McKeon Releases Committee Activities Report and Highlights Transparency Efforts

Jun 24, 2011 Press Release
Washington, D.C. —The House Armed Services Committee met today to mark up the First Semiannual Report of the Activities of the Committee on Armed Services for the 112thCongress, successfully reporting out H. Rept. 112-123.

U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee praised all Members of the committee for their work to provide for our nation’s common defense and making transparency a hallmark of the Committee’s activities. 

Admiral Mullen, Military Experts Weigh in on Drawdown Decision

Jun 23, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

Wednesday night, the President announced an aggressive drawdown that appears to conform to a politically motivated timetable set out in 2009. This drawdown will remove 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, followed by 23,000 more by summer 2012.

Admiral Mullen Testifies to House Armed Services Committee about Drawdown Plan

McKeon Statement on Recent Developments in Afghanistan and the Proposed Drawdown of U.S. Forces

Jun 23, 2011 Press Release

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) issued the following statement today during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on President Obama’s troop withdrawal plan:

“Good morning. The House Armed Services Committee meets today to receive testimony on the President’s decision to withdraw 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year and the remaining 23,000 surge forces by next summer. 

Issues:
Afghanistan

Armed Services Chairman Expresses Concern over Afghanistan Drawdown

Jun 23, 2011 Press Release

Washington, DC – In response to President Obama’s plan to sharply reduce U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, Rep Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) issued the following statement: 

McKeon Congratulates Director Panetta on Confirmation

Jun 21, 2011 Press Release

U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon released the following statement following the confirmation of Leon Panetta to be the next Secretary of Defense:

McKeon: Don’t Reverse Progress in Afghanistan

Jun 21, 2011 Press Release

Washington, DC --Ahead of President Obama’s speech on a potential drawdown in Afghanistan, U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) today praised the hard-won gains made by U.S. and coalition forces but cautioned against any drawdown that would arrest strategic momentum there.

McKeon Statement on White House Libya Report

Jun 16, 2011 Press Release

Washington, D.C. - The Obama Administration today sent  to Congress documentation providing their rationale for failing to comply with the War Powers Resolution for military operations in Libya. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the White House’s Libya policy.

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