EL PASO, Texas -- With the economy in a crunch, even the military may tighten its wallet. Department of Defense planners believe they will have to make some cuts to military spending. Army veterans around El Paso think this is a bad idea.

“They’re giving money to all the other companies AIG, the banks. They need to give money to the soldiers,” said army veteran Michael Corren.

Expensive new weapons would be one of the first items on the chopping block, something that’s already stretched the budget by $300 billion, as reported by the Government Accountability Office.

“I don’t think they should. I think they should try to get the military the best weapons they can get their hands on,” said Corren.

Other proposed cuts would be for the Army’s plans for advanced combat systems. The spending cutbacks will also extend to other branches of the military. Some worry about the message it would send to America’s enemies.

“If we start cutting back on our weapons their going to know America is basically falling back on their national security,” said Mike Diaz, who lives in West El Paso.

El Paso congressman Silvestre Reyes said he does not support the spending cuts and will do everything in his power to make sure soldiers have what they need. Some Democrats who are on board with a military spending cuts would call for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

“Bringing our troops home is great. You know we all want our troops back,” said Diaz.