Defense and National Security
Providing for the national defense is our federal government's most important role under the Constitution. We must secure our borders and maintain a strong Armed Forces. We must provide our troops the funding and equipment they need to succeed. We should not involve ourselves in foreign disputes in which we have no interest. The constitutional requirement that only Congress, not the President, can start a war is a vital protection against unnecessary wars.
It is wrong to assume that every military dollar we spend is well-spent. There is significant room to cut spending in the Department of Defense while increasing our military strength and ensuring that our men and women in harm’s way and our honorable veterans receive the support they deserve. We should not forget that a strong economy is the source of our ability to maintain a strong defense.
Finally, even though we face serious threats to our security, we cannot compromise our commitment to personal freedom—it is what we are fighting for.