Gates wades into budget battle, says Congress must increase 2011 funding

The continuing resolution passed in December keeps Defense spending at 2010 levels and constitutes a cut of $23 billion from the president’s 2011 budget request.

“It’s the worst of all possible kinds of reductions,” Gates told reporters en route to Ottawa, Canada, according to a transcript.

He noted that some in Congress are criticizing him for proposing $78 billion in cuts after 2012, but said these complaints are mere rhetoric if the same congressmen do not provide additional appropriations this year.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) has said that he would talk to GOP leadership in the House about doing a 2011 defense appropriations bill. Sources have said that this bill could become the vehicle for a CR funding the government through Sept. 30.

In December, Gates called for passage of an omnibus appropriations bill days before Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pulled that bill from floor consideration. Republican supporters of that bill withdrew their support under fire over earmarks it contained.