Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has expressed mixed feelings regarding the recent passage of another Continuing Resolution (CR) by Congress. While acknowledging that the CR has prevented a government shutdown, he emphasized the negative impact such short-term funding measures have on the Department of Defense and military operations.
Austin highlighted several issues stemming from temporary funding solutions. "These short-term, temporary funding measures create uncertainty throughout the U.S. military and put us at a strategic disadvantage," he stated. He elaborated that this lack of long-term funding delays missions, undermines readiness, and causes disruptions for military families and recruitment efforts.
He also pointed out that operating under a CR impedes military readiness and hampers the initiation or acceleration of new programs. "Our strategic competitors' militaries do not have to work under CRs," Austin noted.
To address these challenges, Austin called on Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement on fiscal year 2025 appropriations in the upcoming fall session. He stressed the importance of sustained funding for maintaining national security and American competitiveness. "As I have said before, that is not only the right thing to do, but also the best thing that Congress can do to keep our country strong and secure," he concluded.
