Policy
Lawmakers Question Pentagon’s Use of ‘Slush Fund’ to Skirt Budget Caps
Almost one-quarter of the 2020 defense budget is in OCO. That's sure to come up when Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan testifies on Thursday.
Ideas
The Pentagon Could Lead the Green New Deal to Victory
Defense leaders have long braced for the impacts of climate change. Working with climate advocates could ward off those threats.
Policy
We’ll Soon Learn Whether You Can Post 3D-Gun Plans Online
A proposed export-rules change has snagged over the question: is publishing such designs a boon to U.S. business or foreign terrorists?
Policy
Investigating Trump: It’s Not Just About Russia Anymore
House lawmakers issue broad call for documents relating to a wide array of the commander-in-chief’s “abuses of power.”
Policy
Legislative Hurdle Delays US Space Command Stand-Up
Pentagon can’t move ahead until Congress repeals a provision in the 2019 defense authorization act.
Ideas
Congress May Make It Impossible to End a War
A proposal by the Senate majority leader would enmesh American troops in a Gordian knot.
Policy
The Senate’s Russia Probe Is Facing a Reckoning
Meanwhile, the Democratic-led House committee is gearing up for a reinvigorated inquiry.
Ideas
Why Withdrawing from the INF Treaty Might Be Unconstitutional
No one really knows who gets to cancel treaties, but courts may defer to a Congress that prefers not to.
Policy
Lawmakers Say They Have an Agreement to Avoid a 2nd Shutdown
They offered no details on the deal "in principle," but said they hoped to finalize it quickly.
Threats
Lawmakers Tell Pentagon: Revise and Resubmit Your Climate-Change Report
The most recent one didn’t even meet the legal requirements contained in the 2018 defense authorization act.
Policy
Top General in Middle East Says He Wasn’t Consulted on Syria Withdrawal
U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel provided the first public confirmation that the Pentagon was caught by surprise by Trump’s December tweet.
Ideas
The Jury Is Still Out on the Pentagon’s Audit
The real failure will happen if lawmakers and defense officials don’t implement its lessons.
Ideas
Trump, Nukes, and No First Use
Two bills aim to enact a long-overdue policy that will make the world less dangerous.
Ideas
What to Ask Defense Leaders About the Border Deployment
On Tuesday, a Trump administration official will make his first appearance before a House Armed Services Committee led by Democrats.
Policy
The Government is Spending $90 Million a Day to Pay People Not to Work
The government’s debt to furloughed workers has already surpassed the payroll costs related to the 2013 shutdown.
Ideas
The Shutdown Is Great News for Russia
The competition of democracy versus dictatorship is to a degree a contest of narratives.
Ideas
Let’s Make This the Last Shutdown. Please.
Congress can pass a law saying that if no budget is passed as the fiscal year expires, the government proceeds at current funding levels.
Policy
It's Official: Furloughed Feds Will Receive Back Pay Once the Shutdown Ends
Bill signed into law on Wednesday also will ensure retroactive compensation for furloughed feds in future shutdowns.
Ideas
The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security
With every passing day, America’s defenses are weakening.
Policy