In the heart of Washington, at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference, Michael J. McCord, the Undersecretary of Defense, Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer, delivered a message that resonates with the gravity of our times.
Amidst a backdrop of continuing resolutions and fiscal uncertainty, McCord’s words underscore a pivotal truth: the imperative of on-time defense appropriation is not just a matter of bureaucratic preference but a cornerstone of our nation’s security and global posture.
The Perils of Procrastination
As the fiscal year 2024 unfolds without a set defense budget, the Department of Defense (DoD) finds itself navigating through the murky waters of continuing resolutions (CRs). This stopgap funding mechanism, while keeping the governmental gears moving, fails to account for the dynamic nature of national defense needs.
McCord poignantly illustrated the cascading effects of delayed funding: from stalled contracts and postponed training to the deferred deployment of new capabilities.
It’s not just about the dollars and cents; it’s about what those dollars enable our military to do across the globe. The current reliance on CRs, which has become somewhat of a norm rather than the exception, starkly contrasts with the urgency and fluidity of global threats.
Our adversaries do not wait; they do not pause their ambitions. And yet, as McCord highlighted, the United States has spent one-third of the past 15 years in a financial holding pattern, a stark reminder of the strategic cost of indecision.
The Global Echoes of Funding Delays
The ramifications of these delays extend far beyond domestic borders. McCord pointed to Ukraine, a nation in the throes of defending its sovereignty against an unprovoked invasion, as a prime example of the immediate impact of funding uncertainties.
The Senate’s recent approval of a supplemental funding measure, while a step in the right direction, underscores the broader issue of reactive versus proactive support for our allies and interests.
This isn’t just about Ukraine. It’s a global concern, from the Middle East, where additional resources have been earmarked for deterring Iranian-backed militia groups, to the protection of maritime operations against Houthi rebels. Each delay, each day of uncertainty, is a day our adversaries may see as an opportunity.
Bridging the Gap
The question then becomes, how do we move forward? The path to on-time, full-year defense appropriations is fraught with political complexities and competing priorities. Yet, the cost of inaction is too great.
Our military’s ability to plan, modernize, and execute its mission on a global scale is at stake. It’s a matter of treating national security with the seriousness it demands, recognizing that the world does not pause for fiscal debates.
Conclusion
In closing, McCord’s message at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference serves as a clarion call for all stakeholders. From Congress to the defense industrial base, the imperative of on-time defense appropriation transcends partisan lines. It aims at the heart of what it means to secure a nation and its interests abroad.
As we look to the future, let us consider the weight of these decisions, the global balance they affect, and the lives they impact. After all, national security is, unequivocally, serious business.
Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense.
