USA TODAY OPINION About Editorials/Debate Opinions expressed in USA TODAY's editorials are decided by its Editorial Board, a demographically and ideologically diverse group that is separate from USA TODAY's news staff. Most editorials are accompanied by an opposing view — a unique USA TODAY feature that allows readers to reach conclusions based on both sides of an argument rather than just the Editorial Board's point of view. Cutting defense amid two wars to pay down the deficit is a non-starter for me as we must honor our commitment to our war fighters. However, Congress should not fund the Defense Department unless we mandate a culture of fiscal responsibility within the Pentagon and cut out excess and waste. OUR VIEW: Don't spare the Pentagon from the budgetary ax As both a fiscal conservative and a supporter of a strong national defense, I believe these two values are inherent to our Founders' principles. Their vision provided for limited federal government and a mandate to provide for the common defense and raise and support an Army and Navy. Nevertheless, our constitutional mandate cannot blind us from addressing the current fiscal climate. No federal agency — including the Defense Department — should get a pass on eliminating waste, fraud and inefficiencies. That is why I believe the Congress must embrace and build on Secretary Robert Gates' goal of cutting costs by identifying $100 billion of efficiencies within the Defense Department over the next five years. Congress should work to cut under-performing programs, eliminate wasteful bureaucracy and demand a more efficient enterprise to get a bigger bang out of every defense dollar. The days of failing to deliver major weapons programs on time and on budget must come to an end. If sunshine is the best disinfectant, as Justice Louis D. Brandeis quipped, then it is time to apply a lot of disinfectant to the Pentagon's spending habits. But, it is my view that when we apply the sunshine, find the inefficiencies and make the cuts, the savings must be redirected to higher national defense priorities. A defense budget in decline portends an America in decline. Cutting defense will undermine our ability to project power, will strengthen our adversaries and weaken our alliances. I believe the American people share this view, too. Gallup poll results recently found that Americans are more likely now to say the United States' national defense is "not strong enough." And, The Hill's 2010 Midterm Election Poll in battleground districts clearly states: "Six in 10 Republicans and 53% of independents said they would not accept cuts to defense and homeland security spending." In this case, like in many others, Congress would be well advised to listen to the wisdom of the American people. We owe no less to the brave men and women who risk all so that we may participate in this debate. Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif., is in line to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more