Congress Archives - Defense Daily

Senators Push Navy Against Single Destroyer Request In FY ’27

Rich Abott — Fri, 22 May 2026 21:05:20 +0000

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the two senators from Maine last week pushed back on Navy officials for only requesting one Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (DDG-51) […]

Navy Looks To Eventually Assemble Battleship At HII Newport News; Faces More Dem Opposition

Rich Abott — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:46:27 +0000

The Navy told lawmakers this week it found a dry dock at HII’s [HII] Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard it thinks can use for final assembly of the new Trump-class battleship […]

Navy Leaders Downplay Looking At Foreign Navy Shipbuilding Amid Lawmaker Objections

Rich Abott — Wed, 20 May 2026 21:48:20 +0000

The Navy’s top leaders this week seemed to downplay and back down on the service potentially using foreign shipyards to build U.S. Navy ships or buying foreign designed warships overseas […]

Senate Defense Appropriators See ‘Risk’ With Army’s Reconciliation Plan To Fund Munitions Increase

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 20 May 2026 21:12:06 +0000

The Senate’s top defense appropriators cited concern this week with the Army’s request to fund the majority of its large increase to munitions procurement in fiscal year 2027 through the […]

Army Relooking At Its ‘Whole Aviation Transformation’ Plan, Acting Chief Tells Lawmakers

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:15:58 +0000

The Army is relooking at its “whole aviation transformation initiative,” the service’s acting chief of staff told lawmakers on Tuesday, to include its approach for future procurement of “enduring” platforms. […]

Lawmakers Request DoD Briefing On Army’s Planned Cuts To Aviation Procurement

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 15 May 2026 21:45:58 +0000

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has sent a letter asking the Pentagon for a briefing on the potential industrial base impacts as a result of the Army’s planned cuts […]

CENTCOM Looking To Lessons Learned From Use Of LUCAS Drones

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:30:04 +0000

U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) is looking to lessons learned from its use of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones by Phoenix-based SpektreWorks, according to CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper. […]

Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:55:24 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]

Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:55:42 +0000

The Pentagon estimates the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran has now cost at least $29 billion, while a lead official noted the updated figure does not factor in damage to […]

Appropriators Offer Skepticism On $350B Defense Reconciliation Plan, ‘Big Risk’ For Key Initiatives

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:31:34 +0000

Senate and House Appropriators told Pentagon leadership on Tuesday they’re skeptical of the department’s plan to fund $350 billion of the fiscal year 2027 defense budget through the reconciliation process, […]

All Future Systems Should Have Autonomy Features, Reed Says

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:34:45 +0000

Last week, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) visited North Kingstown, R.I.-based Senesco, which is teaming with autonomous systems company Havoc to bid on the U.S. Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel program. […]

Senate Appropriators Concerned With DoD’s Reconciliation Plan For Top FY ‘27 Priorities, Aide Says

Matthew Beinart — Mon, 11 May 2026 21:30:43 +0000

Senate defense appropriators have concerns with the Pentagon’s decision to include key fiscal year 2027 funding priorities, such as critical munitions and drones production, among its request for $350 billion […]

With $1.5 Trillion Request, Army, Air Force, Navy’s Unfunded Lists Focus Solely On MILCON Projects

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:40:01 +0000

With the Trump administration’s push to massively increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2027, the Army, Air Force and Navy have eschewed submitting large unfunded priorities lists […]

Bipartisan House Bill Would Give National Guard To Counter-Drone Authorities

Cal Biesecker — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:30:53 +0000

Seeking to close gaps that may arise between state and local law enforcers in different jurisdictions, a bipartisan contingent of House members this week introduced a bill that would allow […]

Munitions Fired Represent Most of $25 Billion Spent By Pentagon on Iran War So Far

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:36:50 +0000

Munitions fired in the two-month old “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran represent most of the $25 billion cost the Pentagon has incurred thus far in the conflict, the acting Defense […]

Slotkin: Pentagon Should Use Anthropic’s Mythos To Spot Cyber Security Gaps

Frank Wolfe — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:39:11 +0000

The Pentagon should be using Anthropic‘s recently announced Mythos artificial intelligence model to spot gaps in cyber security, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said on Tuesda. “I think the thing that […]

Budd And Shaheen Bill Would Authorize 329 F-15EX Fighters

Frank Wolfe — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:32:09 +0000

Two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), have introduced the Airpower Acceleration Act, which would authorize multi-year procurements of […]

HASC’s Wittman Sees ‘Challenging’ Push For $350B In Reconciliation Funds, Wants Sustained Defense Increase

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:08:34 +0000

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.– Congress’ work to pass $350 billion in reconciliation funds to support the Trump administration’s push for a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2027 defense topline is “going to […]

Army Secretary Says “We Need To Over-Invest in FLRAA To Get It Online As Quickly As Possible”

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:47:44 +0000

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s defense panel (HAC-D), said on Thursday that the Army’s budget plan beginning in fiscal 2027 has more than $2 billion […]

Pentagon Fiscal 2027 Budget To Address Cannibalization Of Parts For F-35, Legislator Says

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:56:23 +0000

The Pentagon’s upcoming fiscal 2027 budget request will help reduce the cannibalization of parts for the F-35 fighter by Lockheed Martin [LMT], the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s […]

Trump’s $1.15 Trillion Request For DoD Is The ‘New Normal,” HASC Chairman Says

Cal Biesecker — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:58:41 +0000

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Trump administration’s nearly $1.2 trillion baseline defense budget request for fiscal year 2027 will be adopted and will be the foundation for the “new normal” going forward, […]

Trump Wants Second Reconciliation Bill On His Desk By June 1

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:28:08 +0000

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Congress to pass and send a second reconciliation bill to his desk by June 1. The deadline follows congressional Republicans’ backing a pursuit […]

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Frank Wolfe — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:01:54 +0000

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:34:53 +0000

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:55:23 +0000

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:07:39 +0000

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]

Army Taking ‘More Refined’ Approach On Push For Right To Repair Reforms, Obadal Says

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:02:33 +0000

After lawmakers decided against including major “right to repair” reforms in the latest defense policy bill, a senior Army official has said the service is continuing its push for authorities […]

Counter-Drone Needs Will Be Addressed In Next NDAA Based On Iran War Lessons, Banks Says

Cal Biesecker — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:43:47 +0000

A Republican senator on Armed Services Committee on Thursday said that defending against Iranian drones has been challenge for U.S. warfighters and will be an area of focus in the […]

Pentagon ‘Working Options’ On Iran Supplemental, May Seek Funds For New Capabilities

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:07:53 +0000

The Pentagon is “working options” for a potential supplemental spending request to fund the operation against Iran and replenish munitions used in the strike campaign, with a senior official noting […]

Wicker Backs “Crash Program” To Supply Ukraine With Low-Cost Weapons

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:12:35 +0000

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) on Thursday proposed a rapid effort to supply Ukraine with low-cost weapons to aid that country in turning back Russia. “We […]

Dem Lawmakers Want To Codify Trump’s Push For More Defense Contractor Accountability

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:09:05 +0000

A group of four Congressional Democrats want to codify President Donald Trump’s push to hold defense firms accountable for prioritizing production investments over paying out stock buybacks, and are seeking […]

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

Frank Wolfe — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:10:36 +0000

The Pentagon is bargain shopping for Group 1 drones, as other countries, including Ukraine and China, have taken advantage of consumer electronics-level prices to bolster their stables. “In last spring’s […]

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:10:58 +0000

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:38:44 +0000

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Wicker Wants Legislation On DoD’s Equity Investments In Minerals Supply Chain

Cal Biesecker — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:09:27 +0000

Legislation regarding equity investments by the Defense Department in critical mineral supply chains is needed to strengthen the larger defense industrial base and demonstrate to the “free market” that the […]

“Not Sure How They Get To Where They Wanna Be,” Calvert Says of $1.5 Trillion Defense Topline Proposal

Frank Wolfe — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:36:54 +0000

As the federal government enters a third week of tardiness in a fiscal 2027 budget release, a big question is how the Pentagon will be able to spend $500 billion […]

Path Uncertain For $1.5 Trillion FY ‘27 Defense Topline After Trump Casts Doubt On Second Reconciliation Bill

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:18:37 +0000

The path to achieve the White House’s call for a $1.5 trillion defense topline in 2027 appears murkier now after President Donald Trump has cast doubt on the prospects of […]

Senate Budget Dems Push For Defense Reconciliation Spending Details, Cite ‘Slush Fund’ Concerns

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:43:41 +0000

Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee have raised “significant concern” with the Pentagon’s move to classify reconciliation spending plans, urging the department to provide more public details on how the […]

Trump Signs Spending Package With $839 Billion Defense Bill, Ending Partial Shutdown

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:00:37 +0000

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a spending package to end the partial government shutdown that temporarily impacted the Pentagon, with the legislation having included the final $839 billion fiscal […]

House May Vote Tuesday on Spending Package, As Democrats Look to Reform ICE

Frank Wolfe — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:27:57 +0000

The House may vote Tuesday on a fiscal 2026 spending package passed by the Senate late last Friday, as Democratic legislators push for measures to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement […]

Pentagon Set For Temporary Weekend Shutdown, As Senate Votes On Final Spending Deal

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:41:46 +0000

While the Senate will vote Friday night on a spending deal that includes final fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations, the Pentagon is set to have a temporary lapse in funding […]

Appropriators Don’t Grant Army’s Full Agile Funding Push, ‘Discourage’ Future Requests

Matthew Beinart — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:31:21 +0000

Congressional appropriators did not grant the Army’s push for new agile funding authorities in the final defense spending bill, and said they “discourage” the Pentagon from pursuing similar requests in […]

Houses Passes Final $839 Billion FY ‘26 Defense Spending Bill, Heads To The Senate

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:50:10 +0000

The House on Thursday evening voted 341 to 88 to pass the final $839 billion fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill. The measure was part of a three-bill “minibus” spending […]

Appropriators Restore Funding For Several Of Army’s Planned Cuts, Rebuke JLTV Decision

Matthew Beinart — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:33:28 +0000

Congressional appropriators have restored funding in the final fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill for several of the programs the Army planned to cancel as part of its new transformation […]

Appropriators Fund More Multi-Years For Munitions, But Not All Of DoD’s ‘Very Late’ Request

Matthew Beinart — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 22:33:08 +0000

The final fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill approves eight critical munitions for multi-year contracts, while the list does not cover the entirety of a larger request proposed by the […]

Wittman Introduces Bill To Speed Arms Sales To Taiwan

Defense Daily Staff — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:59:10 +0000

A bill to streamline arms sales to Taiwan has been introduced in the House after companion legislation was approved in the Senate, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said on Tuesday. The […]

Golden Dome Budget Data Still Lacking, Impeding Oversight, Appropriators Say

Cal Biesecker — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:31:29 +0000

The Trump administration has yet to provide Congress with budgetary and other information about the Golden Dome homeland missile defense program as directed, impairing congressional oversight of the multi-billion dollar […]

Final FY ‘26 Defense Spending Bill Has $8.4 Billion Increase, Addresses Some ‘Broken Glass’ Requirements

Matthew Beinart — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:30:23 +0000

Congressional appropriators on Tuesday unveiled the final $839 billion fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill, including an $8.4 billion topline boost covering some but not all of the priorities sought […]

Defense Bill Provides $500 Million To Add Alternative Solid Rocket Motor Sources

Cal Biesecker — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:42:50 +0000

Congressional defense appropriators have agreed to provide $500 million for the Defense Department to spend on adding alternate production sources of solid rocket motors (SRMs) to help eliminate them as […]

Minibus That Funds NNSA Passes Senate, Heads To Trump’s Desk

Sarah Salem — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:05:43 +0000

The Senate last Thursday passed a minibus bill 82 to 15 that includes appropriations for Energy and Water development, which would provide $25.4 billion in funds to the National Nuclear […]