"It concerns me that some executive branch officials have recently been making suggestions that congressional initiatives and specific recommendations for funding and appropriations bills are unwarranted intrusions in the budget process, " said House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-California.

CNN: Rumsfeld, House panel spar on defense budget

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense for the House Appropriations Committee, he has done it many times.

NPR: U.S. Troops Surge Toward an Exit in Iraq

Three key leaders of the House of Representatives -- Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Livingston, National Security Committee Chairman Floyd Spence and Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Bill Young -- wrote the President the attached letter last Thursday.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy