Although I had hoped to report that defense authorization and appropriations legislation is, at last, complete, partisan wrangling has prevented any forward motion.The defense appropriations legislation will either be a continuing resolution that will last for an amount of time to be determined or will be an enormous omnibus bill that passes at the last minute before the congressional lame duck session ends in December.For the first time in 49 years, there may not be a Defense Authorization Bill at all! The Senate version of the bill (passed by the House in May) is still sitting in the hopper waiting to be brought to the floor for a vote.Whether that vote happens before Congress goes home is anyone’s guess.If there is no vote, a new set of defense authorization bills will have to be introduced in 2011 by the members of the 112th Congress.So the enormous change in Washington that occurred two years ago with a Democratic president in the White House and a solid Democratic majority Congress at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue has not resulted in a smooth and quick appropriations or authorization process.It remains to be seen if the 112th Congress, split between parties, will be any more effective.Meanwhile, as AUSA NEWS reported last month, after each Annual Meeting, on-line voting for the next year’s AUSA Resolutions begins. This year’s voting has been completed and 122 chapters out of 123 participated in the process. This is an amazing advance for grassroots activity because when we began the on-line vote several years ago, 45 chapters participated.Is it important that AUSA’s chapters overwhelming adopted its 2011 resolutions? Yes, because the resolutions provide the framework for the Association’s legislative agenda for the coming year.The 2011 resolutions highlight the fact that these are difficult economic times and, with the federal deficit increasing to record heights, there will be attempts to decrease defense spending. In reality, given the current and future challenges, defense spending must be increased.The resolutions also thank Congress for the strides made in pay, compensation, health care, retirement, survivor programs, housing, procurement and transformation, but noted that more remains to be done such as closing the gap between military and civilian pay and better compensation and health care packages for the National Guard and Army Reserve.AUSA will work for a defense budget that increases to 5 percent of gross domestic product from the current 4 percent, and increases the Army’s share of the defense budget from 24 percent to 28 percent.AUSA believes that the number of soldiers on active duty in the Army should be 700,000 with the active component at 570,000, the Army National Guard at 371,000 and the Army Reserve at 215,000.The 2011 resolutions can be seen online at www.ausa.org by clicking on "Legislative Agenda" and then on "Resolutions 2011."These resolutions will guide the Association’s efforts on the Hill during the first session of the 112th Congress.We will be calling on you to add your voice to ours as we seek to help our great Army and its members and their families.So, during this holiday season, the Government Affairs Directorate – Matt, Julie and I – wish you and yours a successful and safe New Year.We ask that you remember those who serve our nation in the armed forces and especially the families of those who lost their lives or were injured, and consider how lucky we are to live in a representative democracy where political power changes peacefully.