Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade

Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade
Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade

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.

House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems

House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems
House narrowly passes defense policy bill 219-210, setting up clashes with Senate Dems

Conservative lawmakers successfully added numerous riders into the final legislation on Thursday and Friday, sinking most Democratic support.

Nukes, helos and amphibs: House authorizers pass their $874B policy bill 58-1

Nukes, helos and amphibs: House authorizers pass their $874B policy bill 58-1
Nukes, helos and amphibs: House authorizers pass their $874B policy bill 58-1

With 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.

Draft House NDAA would create Space National Guard

Draft House NDAA would create Space National Guard
Draft House NDAA would create Space National Guard

In 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.

HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year

HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year
HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year

Although 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.

Lawmakers drafting NDAA without Navy’s promised long-term maintenance plan

Lawmakers drafting NDAA without Navy’s promised long-term maintenance plan
Lawmakers drafting NDAA without Navy’s promised long-term maintenance plan

Lawmakers want to mandate the maintenance and modernization plan’s annual delivery.

New shipbuilding plan driven by ‘uncertainty,’ ‘fiscal reality’: Navy brass

New shipbuilding plan driven by ‘uncertainty,’ ‘fiscal reality’: Navy brass
New shipbuilding plan driven by ‘uncertainty,’ ‘fiscal reality’: Navy brass

The Navy’s long range shipbuilding plan has been officially released. Lawmakers are not impressed.

As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’

As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’
As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’

“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.”

EXCLUSIVE: HASC leaders want next-gen Stinger replacement, as stockpile dwindles due to Ukraine

EXCLUSIVE: HASC leaders want next-gen Stinger replacement, as stockpile dwindles due to Ukraine
EXCLUSIVE: HASC leaders want next-gen Stinger replacement, as stockpile dwindles due to Ukraine

“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.

Space Force at two: ‘Still a toddler,’ with all that brings

Space Force at two: ‘Still a toddler,’ with all that brings
Space Force at two: ‘Still a toddler,’ with all that brings

“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.”

HASC Votes To Increase Defense Budget By $23.9 Billion

HASC Votes To Increase Defense Budget By $23.9 Billion
HASC Votes To Increase Defense Budget By $23.9 Billion

WASHINGTON: 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.,…

US Playing Long Game To Pressure China On Cyber Ops: Experts

US Playing Long Game To Pressure China On Cyber Ops: Experts
US Playing Long Game To Pressure China On Cyber Ops: Experts

“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.

Who’s Who in Defense: Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

Who’s Who in Defense: Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
Who’s Who in Defense: Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

Part of a special Breaking Defense reference series profiling key defense decision-makers in the new administration and Congress.

HASC Gets Seapower Boost As Wittman Takes Leadership Role

HASC Gets Seapower Boost As Wittman Takes Leadership Role
HASC Gets Seapower Boost As Wittman Takes Leadership Role

“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