Husch Blackwell Partner Ike Skelton was featured in an Omaha World-Herald article regarding his speech on June 2 at Offutt Air Force Base. As former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Skelton spoke to a crowd of elected officials, military leaders and defense contractors regarding proposed budget cuts to the nation's military and defense budgets. The article highlighted Skelton's opposition to any such strategy, as he argued that the current military is "the finest we've ever had," and any decrease in military spending could leave current troops without proper support and weaken national defense. While he served 17 terms as a U.S. Representative from Missouri's 4th District, Skelton worked to improve military operations. He helped pass the Goldwater-Nicols Act, reducing the divide between the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps; devised a new procedure for the military's procurement of weapons; and he continues to act as a voice for the military today. Skelton advises clients on a variety of legal and public policy issues, especially in matters relating to national defense, small business and international trade.