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1 (2008)

handle is hein.cbhear/fdsysafvy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: AUT-ENTICATED US. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION GP DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met at 10:56 a.m., in room SD-192, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel K. Inouye (chairman) pre- siding. Present: Senators Inouye, Leahy, Dorgan, Feinstein, Murray, Stevens, Cochran, Specter, Domenici, and Bond. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT M. GATES, SECRETARY ACCOMPANIED BY TINA JONAS, UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, COMPTROLLER OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE Senator INOUYE. I should point out that this subcommittee will not tolerate any demonstrations. We expect all of us here to con- duct ourselves like ladies and gentlemen. I have been advised that the Secretary has an important meeting at the White House. So we will have to set some time limitations. May I suggest 10 minutes? Today the subcommittee is pleased to welcome the Honorable Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to testify on the administra- tion's budget request for fiscal year 2009. Gentlemen, the budget before this subcommittee requests $492 billion for the coming year. Of course, this amount includes neither funding for military construction nor an additional amount for the cost of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In total, funding for the De- partment of Defense is at historically high levels, unmatched since World War II. Mr. Secretary, we have all been impressed with your passion and commitment to ensure that our military men and women are re- ceiving the best equipment, medical treatment, housing, and sup- port. Over the past several months, we have also noted your state- ments in favor of enhancing diplomatic efforts in the fight on the war on terror and calling for improvements in ISR and innovation in military planning. It has been the most impressive performance. (1)