The Boston Globe

Nation

Boston.com

Pentagon accused of end run on budget cuts

Shifting billions rather than trim

By Bryan Bender

 |  Globe Staff  

  March 03, 2012

The Pentagon has shifted more than $4 billion from its regular budget into a separate fund meant to pay for the war in Afghanistan, thereby avoiding new spending limits established by Congress, according to an analysis of budget documents and independent experts. The amount moved, described by critics as an accounting slight of hand, is nearly equal to the total cut in the Pentagon’s regular budget that the Obama administration touted when it unveiled its so-called “austerity’’ budget proposal last month.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

Free access for home delivery subscribers.

Just need to link your home delivery account; one easy step.

Link my home delivery account

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help