120 Days Overdue – Mr. President where is your National Security Plan?

House Oversight and Armed Services Committee Ranking Members Chide President on Overdue Report

WASHINGTON, DC – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Darrell Issa and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon today, in a letter to President Barack Obama, expressed concern that over 270 days of the new Administration’s tenure have passed and the White House has still not put forward the National Security plan that Federal law stipulates should have been delivered to Congress 150 days after taking office.

The letter from Issa and McKeon notes, “the lack of a formal policy erodes public confidence that the government has a strategic approach, giving the impression that our policy is ad hoc and reactive, responding to crises only as they arise.”

“The Armed Services Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee are among several committees responsible for assessing the Administration’s strategy,” notes the letter.  “This includes an in-depth evaluation of the plan, as well as the administrative, bureaucratic, and monetary resources devoted to its implementation.  Without a formal, articulated national security strategy, we are unable to assess whether the United States is adequately prepared to protect Americans against domestic and international threats.”

“The Administration, while focused on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison and changing the ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy has not found the time to put together the National Security Plan as required by law,” said Issa explaining his concerns.  “All Americans should be concerned about this Administration’s lack of proper focus and resolve to comply with federal law on critical matters of national security.”

Click here to read the letter sent from Reps. Issa and McKeon to President Obama