Rep. Tauscher is chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and Rep. Akin is ranking Republican of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight. They debated the Defense Authorization legislation for fiscal year 2008 scheduled for floor consideration today. They discussed the debate over funding for armaments for the future vs. equipment needed in Iraq now. They responded to telephone calls and electronic mail.

This defense budget request for $645.6 billion is the largest since 1946 and includes Iraq and Afghanistan funding.