Pay Delay for 2010?

2010 Defense Budget Slowed

January 26th, 2009

According to the press release the 2010 defense budget will be delayed because “the new administration will need more time for a substantial review of the submission“. I think they should be following the same due diligence for the recovery bill.

UPDATE: President Obama has released a budget online today, 26 Feb, that indicates a military pay raise of 2.9%

My educated guess was accurate! Here is the 2010 military pay raise proposal by President Obama of 2.9%.

As also reported the nitty, griddy details of the budget will not be released until the spring. My main worry at this point is a delay in the beginning of this budget process could lead to delays in final approval which equals pay delays in the first months of 2010 (remember 2008?), that is never a good thing.

President’s Defense Budget Submission Delayed
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2009 – President Barack Obama’s 2010 defense budget request will be delayed, possibly until April, White House and Defense Department officials said.
The president’s annual budget request usually is submitted to Congress the first Monday in February. However, with only a week in office, the new administration will need more time for a substantial review of the submission, officials said.

Office of Management and Budget officials projected the delay in April and sent a memorandum delaying the budget submission.

Despite the delay, work has not halted on the fiscal 2010 baseline budget submission. Civilian and military financial experts have prepared a draft budget for review by administration officials. They will issue budget guidance via the Office of Management and Budget, which will guide the department.

Officials said they expect this guidance to come to the Pentagon “shortly,” and Defense Department finance officials are prepared to move quickly to apply the guidance to the submission.

It is possible that the total Defense Department request, known as the “topline” number, may be released earlier than April, but that must wait on the more detailed submission, officials said.