Defense Pledge

House Republicans yesterday unveiled their 48-page "Pledge to America," a legislative agenda and campaign platform that calls for a "robust national defense," including "fully" funding missile defense programs, enforcing sanctions against Iran, keeping terrorist combatants in Guantanamo jails and taking "action to secure our borders."

The manifesto promises to "offer a plan to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government."

The Pentagon's budget, which has doubled over the last decade and accounts for roughly half of total discretionary funds in the federal budget, does not appear to be a target for Republicans in the hunt to halt spending. According to the House GOP document:

We will launch a sustained effort to stem the relentless growth in government that has occurred over the past decade. By cutting Congress’ budget, imposing a net hiring freeze on non-security federal employees, and reviewing every current government program to eliminate wasteful and duplicative programs, we can curb Washington’s irresponsible spending habits and reduce the size of government, while still fulfilling our necessary obligations.