DOD Needs More Transparency In Budget Process

Floor Speech

Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the House Armed Services Committee. I am concerned that the Department of Defense has become less open and less accountable. Recent actions taken by the Pentagon has limited transparency and congressional oversight.

First, for the first time ever, nondisclosure agreements have been required of senior defense officials working on the budget.

Second, for the first time, routing ship readiness reports are being classified. This hampers Congress in its important oversight function of the military. The Army was even a no-show at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on its top acquisition project.

Do we want to wait until war to discover we have a hollow fleet or inadequate equipment? Congress has the constitutional duty to raise and support armies and navies.

This responsibility requires candid answers from our senior military leaders about the FY 2010 budget approval. To quote our President, ``A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.'' Where is this promised transparency?

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