Congress

Defense News offers premier news and analysis about Capitol Hill debates and legislation affecting military and industry decision-makers.

Senators urge Pentagon to send advanced Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine

The senators are pushing the Pentagon to modify the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones so that the U.S. can transfer them to Ukraine.

4 days ago

McCarthy threatens to hold up key defense bill until next year

McCarthy's threat comes as Republicans and Democrats are negotiating a final, bicameral version of the bill with the aim of passing it in December.

10 days ago

Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing recieve a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, after landing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of a Bomber Task Force mission, Oct. 18, 2022. Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy. (Senior Airman Yosselin Campos/Air Force)

Commentary

US Air Force’s ‘divest to invest’ plan is too risky

This strategy may look attractive on paper, but past attempts show that it doesn’t work in practice. Here’s why.

White House requests $38 billion more in Ukraine aid

If Congress passes the request, it would bring the Ukraine aid total to more than $100 billion since March amid growing House Republican resistance.

11 days ago

Top Republican on House defense appropriations panel wins re-election

Ken Calvert's competitive election victory puts him on track to chair the defense appropriations panel next year if Republicans take the House.

11 days ago

Biden: Ukraine aid will keep flowing, even through a GOP-led House

President Joe Biden says he expects U.S. aid for Ukraine’s fight against Russia to continue to flow whatever the still-undecided outcome of the midterms.

2 weeks ago

Key House Navy advocate loses seat in midterm election

But other vulnerable Armed Services Democrats defied expectations and held onto their seats.

2 weeks ago

Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante gestures as he speaks on stage Sept. 7, 2022, at the annual Defense News Conference.

Senate to vote on Pentagon contract adjustments amid inflation

The Senate is expected to vote on legislation that would authorize the Pentagon to modify fixed-price contracts as suppliers grapple with inflation.

3 weeks ago

Congress poised to back multiyear weapons purchases, LaPlante says

Congress is expected to expand U.S. weapons production to levels unseen since the Cold War.

3 weeks ago

Pentagon, Congress have trust issues, budget reform panel’s Lord says

Former Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord said the commission has highlighted deep communication shortfalls that are hindering the funding process.

3 weeks ago

Congress must act to boost combat-credible air power in Indo-Pacific

Withdrawing F-15 fighter squadrons from Kadena Air Base in Japan without a replacement plan does not enhance combat-credible posture, these authors argue.

3 weeks ago

A Chinese soldier low-crawls in the dirt under barbed wire during training.

US-China report recommends backchannel diplomacy with Chinese military

A congressionally commissioned report suggests Congress fund backchannel military diplomacy with Beijing.

3 weeks ago