Defense Budget: Effects of Continuing Resolutions on Selected Activities and Programs Critical to DOD’s National Security Mission

What GAO Found The U.S. military conducts operations around the globe while staying ready to immediately respond to new and emerging security threats. In all but 4 of the last 49 fiscal years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has had to carry out its critical national security mission while operating under temporary appropriations in the form of continuing resolutions (CR).

Under CRs, there is uncertainty for agencies about when they will receive their final appropriation and what amount of funding will be available for a fiscal year that has already begun. In addition, CRs include constraints that, among other things, place limits on starting new programs or increasing production of weapon systems and munitions. DOD officials have stated publicly in recent years that CRs hamper the militar