WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s proposed cuts in the military pose a tough test for lawmakers who arrived in Washington demanding budget cuts.
The commander in chief and military leaders want to reduce the number of troops, shut down bases and cancel weapons programs to achieve reductions in the deficit.
But hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts over 10 years could come at a cost of thousands of jobs in lawmakers’ states and districts.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently outlined the new national security strategy that reflects an end to decade-long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The administration is proposing a budget of $525 billion for next year that’s $6 billion less than the current level.
Democrats as well as Republicans are resisting, looking to protect their home turf.
