Top HASC Republican Rejects Using Defense Funds For Border Wall
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“I am opposed to using defense dollars for non-defense purposes,” Rep. Mac Thornberry said. “Seems to me we ought to fund border security needs on their own and not be taking it from other accounts.”
Trump Calls For Arms Control, Rips Own Defense Budget As “Crazy”
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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump injected a fresh dose of uncertainty over defense spending Monday when he derided 2019’s defense budget — which he readily signed and has praised for months — as “Crazy!” The sharp turn in sentiment came in another dreaded early-morning presidential tweet that often shift the talking points for entire segments of… Keep reading →
President Trump, Do NOT Cut The Defense Budget: Inhofe & Thornberry
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Republicans Sen. James Inhofe and Rep. Mac Thornberry say to the White House and to the congressional budget hawks: Yes, budget deficits matter, but defense matters more — because of the degradation in readiness and lack of modernization the armed forces have suffered for more than a decade.
HASC, SASC Chiefs Side With Contractors & Reject DoD Proposal
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The heads of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees oppose proposed new rules changing how the Pentagon compensates contractors.
Rep. Mac Thornberry and Sen. Jim Inhofe sent a letter to Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Sept. 24.
Mattis Makes New Plea To HASC For Russian Sanctions Relief
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CAPITOL HILL: Defense Secretary James Mattis fired off a new letter to House Armed Services leadership on Tuesday, asking lawmakers again to vote in favor of waivers for certain countries Washington is trying to sway into its orbit, but who continue to do business with Russian defense firms. The letter was delivered to HASC chairman Rep.… Keep reading →
Pentagon Pushes Counterintel For Industry As China Hacks Away
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Pentagon kicking off new program to work with the defense industry on counter-intelligence to stop Chinese hackers. But lawmakers aren’t convinced.
Senate NDAA Breaks With House, Trump On ZTE, Troop Numbers
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The two houses of Congress say they can get their differences squared away by the end of July, but there are some real differences to overcome, and a serious objection from the White House yet to come.
Trump Administration Warns Friends Against Russia Arms Deals
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As some Gulf and Asian allies consider big purchases of Russia arms, the Senate is set to uphold a law signed by Trump that would slap sanctions on them for cozying up with Moscow.
HASC Chair Thornberry: Okay To ‘Suspend’ US-South Korea Wargames
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“This is an opportunity to hold their feet to the fire and see if North Korea is serious about this,” Rep. Thornberry said. “If they’re not serious, then it’s pretty easy to say those joint exercises that were scheduled for August are now going to happen in September or October.”
Why Chairman Thornberry Failed To Tame DoD’s Fourth Estate
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When House Armed Services Chairman Thornberry proposed eliminating seven agencies and reducing personnel by 25 percent, he faced strong opposition. In the HASC’s draft bill, he scaled the proposal back to eliminating just three agencies. But that didn’t work either. During the committee’s markup of the House defense policy bill, members still pushed back.