The Pentagon's No. 2 official cautioned lawmakers this week against a delay that might push funding for fiscal year 2009 war costs into the fall, arguing that such a holdup could saddle the next administration's Defense Department transition team with "budget turmoil" and risk the security of U.S. troops as well as the nation. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, in a little-noticed admonition proffered during his opening statement to the Senate Budget Committee on Feb. 12, said that passing the...
