Hank's statement on the Department of Defense efficiency initiative

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement following today’s hearing on the Department of Defense’s proposed budget reductions and efficiencies initiatives:

"I applaud the Department of Defense for proposing a reduction of $78 billion in defense budget growth through 2016 and challenging the armed forces root out waste and inefficiency in military spending,” said Johnson. “This Committee and the Congress must play our Constitutional role in defining the scope and specifics of cuts, but Secretary Gates is advancing an admirable initiative.

“As we complete our withdrawal from Iraq and begin to draw down in Afghanistan, the Pentagon will have to share the burden of getting our fiscal house in order.

“It is refreshing to see Defense leadership coming to grips with this new reality and proposing steps, if only baby steps, to adapt to it.”

###