House Republicans Tuesday joined House Speaker Paul Ryan's attack on the Obama administration's plans to "attack" and "play hardball against" his defense spending proposal.
"This memo is proof that the Obama administration continues to play political games when it comes to our national defense," said Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "While the administration expends its efforts on making our national security a partisan issue, the safety and resources of our men and women in uniform hang in the balance."
The Pentagon created a May 13 memo putting forth a strategy to defeat Ryan's defense bill. The five-page document was published Tuesday by Politico.
It said that "we should attack" the Wisconsin Republican's proposal, and "be prepared to play hardball opposing it."
Prepared for Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Deputy Secretary Bob Work, the document also called for "public and private pressure" to ensure that Ryan's not become law.
Ryan slammed the Pentagon's brazen effort to become involved in election-year issues as "shameless" — saying that "it's always politics first, even at the Pentagon" for the Obama White House.
"This memo details with relish a plan to use a presidential veto of a defense bill as a 'weapon,'" Ryan said.
Turner, who was first elected in 2002, pledged that Republicans would forge ahead on a defense spending bill "and ensure our military servicemen and women are provided the resources and equipment they need to keep this country safe."
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