Dems demand military investigation into Qatar’s plane gift to Trump
Lawmakers worry the expensive gift could create financial and legal issues for the Defense Department.
Congress
Trump requests $892.6 billion base defense budget, a real-terms cut
The administration framed the budget as a 13% increase, but that includes a spending package Congress has yet to pass.
Congress’ new omnibus bill sets up hurdles for JSTARS recap cancellation
Congress wants the Air Force to submit a report and a reprogramming request before it will transfer money from the cancelled JSTARS recap to elsewhere.
The omnibus spending bill would add an extra 143 aircraft for the military
The military may be getting a windfall of cash to buy even more new aircraft in fiscal year 2018.
Congress provides $3.3 billion boost for missile defense in FY18 spending bill
Congress has appropriated $11.5 billion for the Missile Defense Agency in order to upgrade and modernize its capability to defend against North Korean threats.
Congress readies boost to Navy shipbuilding in FY2018 spending bill
Congress is preparing to vote on a major spending bill that would fund 14 new ships, give the Navy more than $3 billion more than it asked for in its budget request.
Congress races to pass $1.3T defense-friendly omnibus and avoid shutdown
The sweeping $1.3 trillion spending bill that congressional leaders unveiled Wednesday includes $654.6 billion for the Pentagon. But it’s unclear whether Congress can pass the proposal without shutting down the government.
New bill would prepare US for artificial intelligence threat
Warning artificial intelligence will revolutionize warfare, a key House lawmaker has opened the pod bay doors to legislation aimed at preparing for the threat posed by intelligent machines.
US Senate blocks move to end involvement in Yemen
The U.S. Senate voted 55-44 to scuttle a measure to extract the U.S. military from the Yemen civil war and rein in what proponents argued were unchecked presidential powers.
Air Force secretary defends clampdown on public engagements
The Air Force’s top official on Tuesday stood behind a controversial decision to scale back media engagements while its public affairs apparatus goes through additional operational security training.
Alabama lawmaker accuses Navy secretary of endangering jobs, LCS future
The exchange was in many ways a classic bit of Capitol Hill theater.
