Pentagon: Obama Defense Budget On Hold

News in Balance:

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.

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.

(Report by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

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