Group of Distinguished Defense, Economic and Foreign Policy Leaders To Address Nation’s Critical Fiscal Situation and the Future of U.S. National Security at Washington Press Event on Tues, Dec. 4

New Coalition for Fiscal and National Security Chaired by Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen

NEW YORK — As the nation edges closer to the fiscal cliff, a group of distinguished defense, economic and foreign policy leaders will issue an urgent call to address the U.S. fiscal situation, identifying it as “the single greatest threat to our national security.” The new group, the Coalition for Fiscal and National Security, currently includes:

• Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman
• Secretary Madeleine K. Albright
• Secretary James A. Baker
• Samuel R. Berger
• Secretary Harold Brown
• Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski
• Secretary Frank Carlucci
• Secretary Robert M. Gates
• Secretary Henry A. Kissinger
• Senator Sam Nunn
• Secretary Paul O’Neill
• Secretary George P. Shultz
• Representative Ike Skelton
• Chairman Paul Volcker
• Senator John Warner

Coalition members, including Admiral Michael Mullen, former chairmen of the Senate Committee on Armed Services Sam Nunn and John Warner, and former chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services Ike Skelton, will hold a press conference in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, December 4, to announce the Coalition's core principles for fiscal and defense policies that reflect the realities of the 21st century.

In addition to outlining a framework for averting the fiscal cliff and setting goals for long-term deficit reduction, the Coalition will discuss U.S. national security. The members will state that advances in technology and the changing nature of threats make it possible, if done properly, to spend less on a more intelligent, efficient and contemporary defense strategy that maintains U.S. military superiority and national security.

To amplify their call for a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility, the Coalition will run full-page advertisements on Wednesday, December 5, in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and other outlets.

The Coalition for Fiscal and National Security was convened by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

For press credentials to attend the event please e-mail Joe Kildea at JoeKildea@Rational360.com. Space is limited.

WHAT: "Addressing Our Debt: A National Security Imperative" with the Coalition for Fiscal and National Security
WHEN: Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 3:00 PM
WHERE: The Knight Studio at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

About the Peter G. Peterson Foundation
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established by Pete Peterson — businessman, philanthropist, and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Foundation is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of key long-term fiscal challenges threatening America's future and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, we work to bring Americans together to find and implement sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results. To learn more, please visit www.PGPF.org.