Who’s Who in Defense: Jackie Speier, Chair, HASC Personnel Subcommittee

The House Subcommittee on Military Personnel has jurisdiction over DoD policy and programs related to military health care and benefits, education, POW/MIA issues, military justice and morale, welfare and recreation, commissaries, and retirement issues.

Warren Lifts Kendall, Shyu Holds; Pushes Four-Year Revolving Door Rule

Warren Lifts Kendall, Shyu Holds; Pushes Four-Year Revolving Door Rule
Warren Lifts Kendall, Shyu Holds; Pushes Four-Year Revolving Door Rule

Kendall and Shyu each have acquiesced to Warren’s request that they “extend their ethics agreements / industry recusals from two years to four years, and to avoid seeking a waiver to their ethics agreements,” said a congressional aide familiar with the issue.

Lawmakers Blast Lockheed, DoD Over F-35 Parts Problems

Lawmakers Blast Lockheed, DoD Over F-35 Parts Problems
Lawmakers Blast Lockheed, DoD Over F-35 Parts Problems

“Fix this now, before you have blood on your hands,” said Rep. Rashida Talib.

LCS Frigate Block Buy Battle: Should Navy Buy Upgraded Ships Wholesale?

LCS Frigate Block Buy Battle: Should Navy Buy Upgraded Ships Wholesale?
LCS Frigate Block Buy Battle: Should Navy Buy Upgraded Ships Wholesale?

WASHINGTON: Should the Navy buy the next generation of Littoral Combat Ships in bulk? A contentious hearing today before House Armed Services subcommittee on oversight largely framed the options as polar opposites. You can either sign a multi-ship deal to drive down the price, at the risk of getting “locked in” to buying a flawed…

NDAA For Xmas, Says HASC Ranking Smith; Off Flies Sage Grouse!

NDAA For Xmas, Says HASC Ranking Smith; Off Flies Sage Grouse!
NDAA For Xmas, Says HASC Ranking Smith; Off Flies Sage Grouse!

Those whose lives are bound to the fate of the annual defense policy bill can rest easy for a while, but then must gird their loins for a tough patch right before Christmas, if Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, is right. Smith, a savvy and rational lawmaker, offered no…

Tell Congress How Much LRSB Will Cost: Rep. Speier To SecAF James

Tell Congress How Much LRSB Will Cost: Rep. Speier To SecAF James
Tell Congress How Much LRSB Will Cost: Rep. Speier To SecAF James

WASHINGTON: A top House defense Democrat wants answers from Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James about costs for the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRSB), which is supposed to be built at a fixed price of $500 million a copy. “Given the importance of this issue and the magnitude of the discrepancy, the Air Force must…

NDAA ‘Ode To The Lesser Prairie Chicken’

NDAA ‘Ode To The Lesser Prairie Chicken’
NDAA ‘Ode To The Lesser Prairie Chicken’

WASHINGTON: Since everyone is exhausted after the final passage of the House version of the annual defense policy bill, let us offer a note of whimsy, nay, even humor, to help lift everyone’s spirits after the unusually depressing saga of watching Democrats and Republicans largely just stand on the floor and bash each other. Let us…

No Battle Royal At HASC Markup Over F-35A; Dems Fold Fast

No Battle Royal At HASC Markup Over F-35A; Dems Fold Fast
No Battle Royal At HASC Markup Over F-35A; Dems Fold Fast

UPDATE: GOP Buries Dems On F-35 Vote; Mudslinging Starts early CAPITOL HILL: One of the highlights of today’s House Armed Services Committee markup of the draft defense policy bill is sure to was expected to be a series of votes on whether to shift $588.5 million to the National Guard from the purchase of an additional six Lockheed…

Admirals Rally Round LCS As HASC Attacks; Lockheed Takes Fire, General Dynamics Escapes

WASHINGTON: Even as two Navy admirals praised the Littoral Combat Ship to reporters in a hastily convened conference call, the House Armed Services Committee ordered the Government Accountability Office to investigate the program. [CORRECTED (9 p.m. Wednesday) To Reflect That Navy Had Planned Interview For More Than A Week] “It’s disturbing that the Navy would…