Articles from ARMY Magazine, Headline News, and AUSA News on Congressional Budget topics affecting the U.S. Army and the U.S. Military

AUSA Unveils 2024 Focus Areas

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AUSA Unveils 2024 Focus Areas

On-time and adequate funding for the U.S. Army remains a top advocacy effort for the Association of the U.S. Army.

As part of AUSA’s 2024 Focus Areas, the association aims to support soldiers from the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, Department of the Army civilians, families, veterans and retirees.

Joint Association Letter Pushes for Defense Budget

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Joint Association Letter Pushes for Defense Budget

The Association of the U.S. Army, joined by five other military associations, is urging Congress to approve a timely and adequate defense budget to enable the Army and joint force to respond to growing threats and demands at home and around the world.

Wormuth: Budget Delays Have ‘Significant Consequences’

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Wormuth: Budget Delays Have ‘Significant Consequences’

Any further budget delays, including the possibility of a full-year stopgap funding measure, will have “significant consequences” for the Army and its efforts to recruit, modernize and support missions around the world, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth warns.

Survey: Americans’ Trust in Military Remains Stable

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Survey: Americans’ Trust in Military Remains Stable

Confidence in the military remains relatively stable, and Americans still support bolstered defense spending, according to a new survey from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

“This year’s survey reveals concerns that congressional budget cuts will lead to reduced military capabilities and support for increasing military spending on cutting-edge technologies,” the survey found. “Americans broadly recognize the need for boosting domestic manufacturing capacity to produce what is needed for our national defense.” 

AUSA Calls for Quick Passage of 2024 NDAA

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AUSA Calls for Quick Passage of 2024 NDAA

The Association of the U.S. Army is urging key lawmakers to authorize full funding for the Army and DoD, a pay increase of at least 5.2% for service members and civilian employees and the resources needed to continue the Army’s transformation and quality of life efforts.

In a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, AUSA advocates for these critical issues and calls for passage “as quickly as possible” of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

Congressional Report Warns of Military Funding Gaps

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Soldiers of the 1 BN 175 INF Battalion Received training from instructors on range 59C at Fort Dix in New Jersey with the Gustav Recoilless Rifle.
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Congressional Report Warns of Military Funding Gaps

In a new fiscal warning, the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the $842 billion 2024 defense budget pending before Congress is likely to increase to $922 billion by 2028 because military expenses would rise by 10% over the next five years, at a rate faster than inflation.

The report, “Long-Term Implications of the 2024 Future Years Defense Program,” also says that the 2024 budget awaiting congressional action could be underestimating expenses by 3% or more, potentially creating funding gaps.

Wormuth: Budget Delays Impact Soldiers, Modernization

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Secretary of the Army Wormuth speaks with soldiers
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Wormuth: Budget Delays Impact Soldiers, Modernization

After more than a decade of operating under temporary spending bills, the Army has gotten “used to” the uncertainty, but spending is inefficient and programs are delayed and disrupted, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said.

“At one level, we’re a little bit used to this, but I think it’s important to not lose sight of the fact that every time we go into a continuing resolution, we’re essentially spending the money we have much less efficiently,” Wormuth said Nov. 14 during a defense summit hosted by Politico.

AUSA Pushes for Defense Budget ‘As Soon as Possible’

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AUSA Pushes for Defense Budget ‘As Soon as Possible’

The Association of the U.S. Army has joined with 26 other military and veterans’ groups to urge Congress to pass an adequate defense budget “as soon as possible” to avoid disruptions to service members, veterans and their families and the military’s critical modernization and readiness programs.

“Our nation faces many threats, and our uniformed services operate in a very challenging environment,” the groups, known as The Military Coalition, write in a Sept. 26 letter to Senate and House leaders.

AUSA Urges Timely, Adequate Defense Budget

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AUSA Urges Timely, Adequate Defense Budget

The Association of the U.S. Army joined with five other military associations to urge Congress to approve a timely and adequate defense budget to avoid disruptions to critical modernization and people programs.

HASC Backs Army’s Unfunded Priorities

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HASC Backs Army’s Unfunded Priorities

The 2024 defense policy bill taking shape in the House of Representatives allocates almost $4.4 billion toward Army weapons and combat vehicles, about $620 million more than requested by the Pentagon.

The draft 2024 defense plan prepared by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama includes several increases in Army procurement. He proposes a $230 million increase for aircraft, and a $623 million increase for weapons and tracked combat vehicles.