Ideas
Rand Paul Has a Point: How Much Defense Spending is Enough for GOP?
The next GOP debate could find even more substance by making candidates answer Paul’s question to the conservative movement.
Policy
Fate of Defense Authorization Bill Looks Favorable Second Time Around
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the NDAA, sending it to Obama’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it into law.
Threats
China Is Among the World Leaders in 'Secret' Military Spending, Report Says
And 'additional, off-the-books spending' could be as high as 50% of China’s official defense expenditure.
Policy
Budget Deal Is A Big Win for Pentagon
Even though it’s only a two-year agreement, the budget deal passed by Congress and the White House will get the Pentagon past the worst of the spending caps.
Ideas
Trick or Treat: A Pleasant Surprise for the Defense Budget
The debate over the defense budget is not really about defense. But this is the best possible deal.
Threats
Obama Vetoes Defense Policy Bill; Now What?
A partisan proxy war escalates as Obama fulfills his vow to send the annual defense policy bill back to lawmakers.
Business
Obama Vetoes Bill Affecting Troop Pay and Benefits
The legislation includes a 1.3 percent pay raise in 2016 for service members and changes to the military retirement system.
Business
Military Pay and Benefits in Limbo As Obama Weighs Veto
The defense bill includes a 1.3 percent pay raise for troops in 2016, an overhaul of the retirement system, and money for basic housing allowances.
Policy
Defense Policy Bill Heads to Obama, Who Readies Veto Pen
The 2016 NDAA would give the Pentagon all the money the White House requested — but without resolving four-year-old budget caps.
Threats
Senate Moves Defense Policy Bill One Step Closer to Obama’s Veto Pen
But enough Democrats got on board to give Republicans the votes to override it in the Senate.
Science & Tech
$460M CYBERCOM Contract Will Create Digital Munitions
Meanwhile, the military’s digital command hopes to recruit 6,200 operatives to thwart hacks against the US, aid troops overseas, and protect dot-mil.
Threats
Pentagon Warns 2 Million Troops, Workers May Have to Work Without Pay Next Week
The looming government shutdown threatens paychecks for roughly 2 million troops and civilians, but some shrug as this happened before — just two years ago.
Business
White House, Agencies Begin Prepping for ‘Executing an Orderly Shutdown’
OMB is currently reviewing contingency plans submitted by all agencies in preparation for an appropriations lapse.
Policy
McCain Vows One Continuing Resolution Only, Then It’s Budget Deal or Bust
The Armed Service Committee chairman compared his own majority leader’s strategy on defense spending to the administration’s in Iraq and Syria: nonexistent.
Ideas
Give Troops The Pay and Benefits They Deserve
The Senate is all that stands between troops and the pay and benefits they actually deserve. Military families have done enough and the future force is at stake.
Policy
Lawmakers Reheat War Over Defense vs Non-Defense Spending
The announcement from Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is seen as a coup for Democrats who want a plan to raise budget caps on both defense and nondefense spending.
Policy
Carter: Congressional Inaction on Defense Budget Is Dangerous and Embarrassing
U.S. defense secretary also calls on China to halt island-building, and touts coming personnel reforms.
Policy
Politics Puts Iowa Arsenal Between a Rock Island and a Hard Place
The military’s largest weapons manufacturing arsenal is one of many facilities stymied by Washington’s budgetary inaction. But you won’t hear about it on the campaign trail.
Threats
Pentagon Moves Money to Counter Russia
The midyear budget request to Congress includes more money for submarine detection devices, more powerful guns on the Army’s Stryker vehicles, and improvements to nuclear command centers.
Policy