Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) expressed his support for the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution and praised the House Budget Committee’s commitment to meeting the needs of our national defense. 

“I am pleased to support the Fiscal Year 2010 House Budget Resolution, which matches President Obama’s request for national defense.  I commend and thank Chairman John Spratt for his tireless work on this important resolution.

“There is no higher priority than the defense of our nation, and the House Budget Resolution recognizes this.  Continuous combat operations over the past seven and one-half years have strained our forces and have taken a serious toll on military equipment.  This Budget Resolution addresses these military readiness concerns to ensure that our forces are properly equipped and trained and that they also have the proper support in terms of health care, pay, and family support. 

“Reflecting the priorities of the Obama Administration as well as the House Armed Services Committee, the Budget Resolution identifies defense acquisition reform as a top concern.  On another positive note, the resolution makes clear that agencies and programs beyond the military have an important role to play in keeping America safe, calling for more and better interagency cooperation.

“As the budget process moves ahead, we will face many difficult challenges on defense and every other aspect of the budget.  But this Budget Resolution provides a strong roadmap for defense and I am happy to support it.”

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