Skelton Weighs in on Bush Budget

West central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton is pleased that President Bush’s proposed budget includes a nearly seven percent increase in funding for defense. But the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services is worried how the money might be spent. Skelton says he’s concerned the reformation the Army is going through could have an impact back in this state, especially for the National Guard. And, Skelton is worried that while Congress wants about 350,000 Guardsmen nationwide, the budget calls for funding only about 334.000. He says he’s displeased that education and agricultural spending could take cuts, one-third of the programs on the chopping block from the education arena and a six-and-a-half percent slash to ag spending.