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Jul 19, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
"It’s so big [the defense budget] that you can make relatively modest changes to defense that end up giving you a lot of headroom to fund things like basic research or student loans or things like that.”    -President Obama, July 6, 2011

Jul 19, 2011 Press Release
WASHINGTON- Following the decision by the Administration to bring a Somali terrorist detainee onto U.S. soil, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), together with the Chairmen of the Intelligence, Judiciary, Foreign Relations, and Homeland Security Committees today called on President Obama to define his Administration’s policies on interrogation, detention, and prosecution of terrorists and highlighting the need for Congressional action in such a vacuum. In a letter to the President, the Chairmen argue that the Administration has unilaterally limited the options available to the United States for detaining and prosecuting captured terrorists despite bi-partisan legislation and a decade of precedent:
Jul 18, 2011 Defense Drumbeat
A New York Times article published today reports that the Obama Administration will prosecute a Somali accused of ties to two Islamist militant groups in civilian court in New York City.
Jul 18, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

In a Washington Times op-ed published Tuesday, Chairman McKeon wrote that recent successes in Afghanistan should not be used as justification for withdrawing from Afghanistan. He argued progress in Afghanistan is fragile and reversible and should be vigorously protected:

Jul 18, 2011 Defense Drumbeat

“It’s so big [the defense budget] that you can make relatively modest changes to defense that end up giving you a lot of headroom to fund things like basic research or student loans or things like that.”    -President Obama, July 6, 2011

 

Jul 14, 2011 Editorial

Eighteen months ago, President Obama ordered a surge of U.S. troops into Afghanistan, a prudent strategy reflecting conditions on the ground. Yet he also made the imprudent decision to publicly announce an arbitrary timetable for withdrawal beginning this month. This date had nothing to do with military strategy, but President Obama insisted on it, saying, "I can't lose the whole Democratic Party."

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.
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.
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. 
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. 

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