#More ‘Buy America’ provisions threaten our industrial base and national security

#More ‘Buy America’ provisions threaten our industrial base and national security

“Buy America” is a hardy perennial in debates over defense manufacturing in the United States.  Given the industrial capacity and supply chain security challenges demonstrated by the Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic, some members of Congress argue that a central part of the solution is to strengthen laws to buy from American companies. To that end, there are draft provisions in the 2024…

Read More
#White House says Republicans have turned defense bill into ‘rightwing wishlist’

#White House says Republicans have turned defense bill into ‘rightwing wishlist’

The White House on Friday slammed congressional Republicans for “hijacking” the annual defense policy bill and loading it up with conservative amendments related to abortion, transgender rights and other issues, arguing it will undermine national security. “Holding America’s military readiness – as well as service members and their families – hostage to an extreme, divisive…

Read More
#How McCarthy powered through a chaotic conference — again 

#How McCarthy powered through a chaotic conference — again 

Nearly every week features a familiar plotline for the House Republican conference: Right-flank pressure spurs last-minute scrambles that appear to put Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) and GOP leaders in peril – before they squeak out a compromise or victory. In the latest episode, the House Freedom Caucus’s push to add culture war amendments to the…

Read More
#Freedom Caucus leaders signal support for defense bill

#Freedom Caucus leaders signal support for defense bill

Leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus indicated Friday that they’ll support an annual defense budget bill on the House floor, providing a huge boost to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and GOP leaders as they scramble to rally enough support to move the must-pass package to the Senate later this week.  Freedom Caucus conservatives had…

Read More
#Senate sends 8 billion defense bill to Biden’s desk

#Senate sends $858 billion defense bill to Biden’s desk

Senate sends $858 billion defense bill to Biden’s desk The Senate on Thursday passed the annual defense authorization bill, sending the $858 billion measure to President Biden’s desk for signature just before the year-end deadline. The measure, formally known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, 83-11.  It provides…

Read More
#House passes annual defense funding bill

#House passes annual defense funding bill

House passes annual defense funding bill The House on Thursday passed the annual defense authorization bill, sending the mammoth, $847 billion measure to the Senate for consideration ahead of the year-end deadline. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in a bipartisan 350-80 vote. It was approved under suspension of the rules, an expedited process…

Read More