Congress

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

Congress avoids government shutdown, drops Ukraine aid

Congress passed a bipartisan short-term funding bill at the last minute after removing $6 billion in Ukraine assistance.

12 hours ago

House passes a 45-day funding plan, sends it to Senate as clock ticks

With hours to go before the midnight deadline to fund the government, the Senate was also in for a rare weekend session and prepared to act next.

17 hours ago

Congress

Ukraine funds to backfill US stocks will expire amid GOP opposition

House GOP opposition to additional Ukraine aid threatens to deprive the Pentagon of funds it needs to backfill weapons it has given Kyiv from U.S. stocks.

159th Fighter Squadron pilots take off from the 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Florida, on Aug. 26, 2016.

US Air Force prioritizing cloud-based command and control

“It’s really about prioritization, right?” Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey said. “How far can you get with the dollar you have available?”

3 weeks ago

GOP defense budget’s abortion, diversity limits draw Biden veto threat

The political acrimony represents another serious division with less than three weeks to go before a federal funding lapse triggers a partial shutdown.

3 weeks ago

US Air Force warns budget delays could jeopardize NGAS tanker fielding

“The longer you take to get started, obviously, that has back-end consequences,” Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter told Defense News.

3 weeks ago

The US Navy is spending billions to stabilize vendors. Will it work?

Find out how the U.S. submarine-industrial base is faring after $2.3 billion went toward shoring up two shipbuilders and their thousands of suppliers.

3 weeks ago

Air Force pushes for quickstart plan to launch programs without budget

The Senate added a slimmed-down version of this proposal to its NDAA, and the Air Force is talking to the House to ensure it stays in the final version.

3 weeks ago

Laura Cressey, Michael Miller and Kusti Salm, officials representing the State Department, Defense Department and the Estonian Ministry of Defense, are seen Sept. 6, 2023, at the Defense News Conference.

US considering long-range fires for Ukraine, State Dept. official says

The official noted the Biden administration is "closely considering" sending long-range capabilities to Ukraine.

4 weeks ago

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, is seen on a screen Sept. 6, 2023, at the Defense News Conference in Pentagon City.

Top Armed Services Democrat sees hard path to pass final defense bill

At the Defense News Conference, Rep. Adam Smith outlined a rocky path forward on negotiating a final defense policy bill with several conservative riders.

4 weeks ago

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks begins her keynote speech Sept. 6, 2023, at the Defense News Conference in Pentagon City.

Replicator drone program needs no new money, Hicks says

“We’re not creating new bureaucracy, and we will not be asking for new money in [fiscal 20]24,” the deputy defense secretary says.

4 weeks ago

Opinion

The avoidable consequences of a government shutdown

The real hostages, and eventual losers in this blame game, are not elected officials or single issues of contention; they are American taxpayers.

4 weeks ago

AUKUS standoff: Australia, UK wait on Congress to approve pact

AUKUS was announced two years ago. Now Congress must pass several bills to make the pact work, from export controls to submarine transfer authorities.

4 weeks ago