WASHINGTON -- Earlier last month, the Bush administration requested a $46 billion defense budget increase for 2003. That would come on top of a combined $45 billion increase in the annual budget from 2000 to 2002, and be followed by a further increase of $75 billion after 2003. Even factoring out the effects of the war, homeland security and inflation, the annual defense budget would still grow by a staggering $100 billion between 2000 and 2007. Such an increase is too much.

How can deficit hawks of both parties in Congress limit these proposed defense budget increases to more fiscally responsible levels? How can they do so without appearing unpatriotic during this time of national crisis -- and without risking defeat in November elections?

The first order of business is the 2003 budget, and particularly the Bush administration's request of nearly $20 billion for the costs of war. That amount is broken down into two parts: $10 billion as a placeholder cost estimate for military operations next year, plus $9.4 billion to replenish weaponry and spare parts inventories and otherwise recuperate from the war to date.