Defense
We need to invest wisely in our military to provide a strong defense and work to end cost overruns and inefficiencies at the Pentagon.
While Congressman Garrett believes it’s important that we maintain a strong defense, we need to add accountability to how the Pentagon spends taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an independent audit in March of 2011 which found that the cost of the Pentagon’s largest programs have risen by $135 billion, or 9 percent, to $1.68 trillion since 2008. According to the GAO, over half the overruns, $70 billion, appeared “to be indicative of production problems and inefficiencies or flawed initial cost estimates.” Since 2005, we have not had a complete audit of the Pentagon, and since then the over runs have only multiplied.
Power to Declare War
Congressman Garrett believes that any time the men and women of our military are sent into combat, the President must receive authorization from Congress. In March 2011, President Obama began an air campaign against Libya in support of rebel forces without any authorization from Congress. Congressman Garrett was a vocal critic of this abuse of power by the Executive Branch, and urged Republican leadership to require the President to receive authorization or restrict funding for the military action.
Listen Congressman Garrett discuss the issue with Judge Andrew Napolitano on FOX's Freedom Watch
Listen to Congressman Garrett offer an amendment ensuring the Defense Authorization does not authorize use of force in Libya