The Bush Administration has put Congressional appropriators on notice that it will tolerate no more than a $4 billion cut to its 2007 defense budget request, reports Government Executive. House and Senate negotiators wanted to cut defense funding by nearly $6 billion to free up funds to restore cuts proposed for programs such as education and health care.
The Pentagon announced framework agreements for new multiyear deals with three companies to mass-produce more affordable, less exquisite air-to-ground missiles for the Air Force, part of a larger strategy to bring cheaper firepower to a future fight.