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Gates: National Security Strategy Deadline 'Unrealistic'

United States Naval Institute

April 8, 2010

 

Defense Secretary explains why Obama administration's report 9 months overdue

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Wednesday that the Obama administration has failed to issue a national security strategy report because the deadline set by Congress "is a completely unrealistic requirement."

 

The National Security Act requires that a new administration issue the report within 150 days of taking office. The document is intended to outline the administration's plan for deterring threats to the worldwide interests of the United States. President Obama's report is more the nine months overdue.

 

Speaking to the Brigade of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, Gates joked that he was going to "get in so much trouble" as he pointed out flaws in the process.

 

"National security strategy is a big deal, and when an administration can't even get most of its senior officials confirmed within 150 days, I want to know how the hell you're going to figure out how you're going to manage strategy in 150 days," Gates said.

 

 

"That's not Republican or Democratic, that's just a fact of life," Gates added.

 

Gates stated that the report was forthcoming and noted that this is not the first time that an administration has not met the deadline.

 

"We are, I think, within a few weeks of having a national security strategy, but no administration since that legislation has passed… has issued a national security strategy with 150 days," Gates said.

 

The previous administration did not issue a report until September 2002; 18 months after President George W. Bush took office. The extended delay in that instance was attributed to the need to make sweeping changes in security objectives following the events of 9/11.

 
 

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