Battleland

Pentagon Budget: Tug-Of-War-Spending Continues

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Speaking of Pentagon budget cuts: word from inside the Defense Department is that President Obama’s proposed $400 billion in “security” cuts over “12” years — those words in quotes because “security” is squishy and the Pentagon talks in five- and 10-year terms — may only be a “down payment.”

Though the new bogey for cuts is close-hold, it could be 50% higher, defense officials say. Between the impasse over taxes and the House GOP’s refusal to consider any cuts, the wheels of budget-talk progress are locking up all over Washington. “The military budget is not on the table,” a frustrated Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), tells Politico. “The military is at the table, and it is eating everybody else’s lunch.”