The Pentagon is seeking permission from Congress to shift more than $3.6 billion from lower- to higher-priority programs, moves that -- if approved by all four defense committees -- could launch by September a number of new weapon system programs that commanders contend are urgently needed by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Robert Hale, the Defense Department comptroller, on July 8 submitted an omnibus reprogramming request that aims to provide a cash infusion during the final month of the...