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 U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
