Rep. Thornberry: 'Disappointing' Dems Oppose On-Target Defense Bill

Spending caps on the House defense bill are a concern, Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry said Friday, but lawmakers have found a way to meet the $611.9 billion President Barack Obama last asked for, so having Democrats say they'll vote against it "is a little disheartening."

"The caps are a concern, but we found a way to add to the overseas contingency account," the Texas Republican told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program, "so that we in the House budget and the defense bill on the floor right now meet exactly the amount that the president has asked for. It's $611.9 billion, and we meet it exactly."

The Pentagon's budget is so high, said Thornberry, "because we face more significant national security threats around the world than we have ever faced before."

In addition, the bill sets up a new retirement system that allows 83 percent of those who leave the military with nothing in their retirement funds to have "a little nest egg," said Thornberry.

There are hundreds of provisions in the bill that are sponsored by Democrats, he said, and it's "disheartening" to think that there are members of the House who will walk away "on something as important as national defense."

The vote was 269-151 for the House bill, which Obama has threatened to veto and Democrats say opens the way to sharp cuts in domestic spending later in the year, The Associated Press reported.

Also on Friday's show, Thornberry, R-Texas, praised new Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, saying he comes into office with "unique insights" about the workings of the Pentagon.

"There are a number of reforms to reduce overhead, modernize the personnel system and improve the way the Pentagon buys goods and services that are in this bill that's on the floor right now, and Secretary Carter is a full partner in that," said Thornberry.

Thornberry also defended raising defense budget caps, even though there are many who do not like the idea.

"In the last four years defense spending has been cut 21 percent, when you count inflation," said Thornberry. "And if you think about it, the world is not 21 percent safer now than it was in four years ago ... Defending the country is the first job of the federal government."

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