Beyond politics, the Air Force Secretary weighed in on key items in the defense budget, citing concerns about potential cuts to NGAD funding and unnecessary bumps to an alternate F-35 engine.
By Michael MarrowConservative lawmakers successfully added numerous riders into the final legislation on Thursday and Friday, sinking most Democratic support.
By Justin KatzWith a GOP-controlled House and a Democrat-controlled Senate, nothing in the bill is final until the last minute conference negotiations are completed, but here are the key issues to watch.
By Justin Katz, Ashley Roque and Jaspreet GillIn addition, the subcommittee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would add 800 Guardians to the Space Force’s active duty end-strength, as requested by the service — including establishing a dedicated Space Force legislative liaison.
By Theresa HitchensAlthough lawmakers repeatedly said their position wasn’t meant to favor a particular company, in some respects the debate was held over parochial lines, as some of the most outspoken had interests in their districts.
By Valerie InsinnaLawmakers want to mandate the maintenance and modernization plan’s annual delivery.
By Justin KatzThe Navy’s long range shipbuilding plan has been officially released. Lawmakers are not impressed.
By Justin Katz“For me, this isn’t just about how much money we spend on defense, this is about how we spend the money,” SASC ranking member Sen. Jim Inhofe said. “And we need a higher top line because what’s in this budget right now is not nearly enough to make up for lost time.”
By Jaspreet Gill“The committee urges focus on the most rapid possible development, testing, and fielding of a more capable SHORAD system and would favorably consider an appropriate reprogramming request to get this started,” wrote HASC Chairman Adam Smith and Rep. Mike Rogers, its top Republican.
By Valerie Insinna“We made it clear when we stood this up that it is going to be an evolutionary process, and that we just stood up the bare bones in the first year — because it’s hard enough to do that,” Rep. Mike Rogers said. “And we’re putting the flesh on the bones each year trying to mature it in a slow and pragmatic fashion, and do it right.”
By Theresa HitchensWASHINGTON: Members of the House Armed Services Committee have voted for a $23.9 billion increase in the defense budget request, in a move likely to receive pushback from progressive members of President Joe Biden’s party. The vote, which saw 14 Democrats join with the committee’s Republican block, was a victory for Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.,…
By Aaron Mehta“It’s part of a larger diplomatic strategy,” cyber policy expert James Lewis said of the US attribution to China for Microsoft Exchange hacks earlier this year.
By Brad D. WilliamsPart of a special Breaking Defense reference series profiling key defense decision-makers in the new administration and Congress.
By Catherine Macaulay“I don’t think there’s going to be any increases in the budget, but maintaining budget levels in order to do the things necessary” to fund the Pentagon’s modernization is critical, Rep. Rob Wittman said
By Paul McLeary