Policy
Here’s What the Services Want from Congress This Year
After lawmakers pass the budget promised by February’s bipartisan deal, the three secretaries have other priorities for legislative action.
Business
Comptroller: Pentagon's First Audit Will Be Worth Its Nearly-$1B Pricetag
At a Senate hearing, DoD's David Norquist defended the cost of the first-ever financial accounting and provided new details about the effort.
Threats
As Clearance Backlog Soars Past 710,000, Senators Want to Know Why
A nearly four-fold increase has people waiting more than a year for top-secret clearance.
Ideas
Stand Up for the Constitution: Stop Unauthorized Involvement in Yemen's Civil War
The War Powers Act requires a Senate vote. Lawmakers should not duck their responsibility.
Science & Tech
Pentagon May Create a Combatant Command for Space
The Defense Department is also looking at major changes to speed up how it buys satellites.
Ideas
Why ‘Different Spanks for Different Ranks’ Are Often Justified
It can be frustrating when generals and admirals appear to skate on misconduct charges, but lawmakers should be wary of trying to “fix it.”
Threats
‘We're Finding It Difficult to Hold’ Territory in Somalia: Senator
Somali government forces, African partner nations, and half a thousand U.S. troops are having trouble holding off the extremists of al Shabaab.
Policy
Space Corps Is At Least ‘Three to Five Years Away,’ Its Congressional Champion Says
A bipartisan team of House lawmakers slams the Air Force for pushing back on the idea of a separate service for space operations.
Threats
Russia ‘Incredibly Destabilizing’ as Syrian Conflict Threatens Region, Top US General Warns
Weeks after Tillerson said the U.S. and Russia share a postwar vision, Votel says Moscow is playing both “arsonist and firefighter.”
Policy
Military Watchdogs Defend Process for Probing Officer Misconduct
Rep. Speier wants tougher standards for sexual abuse cases.
Policy
Two-Year Budget Deal Would Raise Caps, Give Pentagon $700B in 2018
The deal comes with a new continuing resolution to give House and Senate lawmakers time to work out details.
Policy
How the Nunes Memo Harms Intelligence Oversight
The document’s lasting effect will be undermining the ability of Congress to prevent political abuses of surveillance powers.
Business
Why the Shutdown Didn’t Much Affect Defense Firms
Timing is everything. Three days — including a weekend — is not quite enough to cause production problems that really hurt.
Policy
UPDATED: See Who Gets Sent Home in a Shutdown
Some agencies would furlough virtually everyone, while others would remain completely open if there is a lapse in appropriations.
Policy
House Speaker: Budget Fights Have ‘Pushed Our Military Past the Breaking Point’
Paul Ryan highlighted defense hawks’ concerns about readiness and funding as Congress tries to avert a shutdown.
Policy
Shutdown, Surveillance Deadlines Loom Over Congress
A pair of lawmakers also proposed a pay raise for federal employees.
Threats
Russian DNC Hackers Are Targeting the US Senate, Cyber Firm Says
Sen. Ben Sasse wants Attorney General Jeff Sessions to testify on the issue.
Policy
Pentagon Denies Gag Order, Says ‘Services Are Allowed to Talk About Readiness’
They just have to do so carefully — or behind closed doors.
Policy
The Pentagon’s Secrecy Is Undermining Its Quest for a Bigger Budget
Last year, U.S. Navy and defense leaders warned their people to watch what they say. Lawmakers say that’s made it harder to argue for spending bumps on Capitol Hill.
Ideas