Defense Department’s FY 2016 Budget This week, Congress will hold the following hearings to examine the Department of Defense’s FY 2016 budget request: Wednesday, February 25: The House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of the Navy’s FY 2016 Budget request for seapower and projection forces. Thursday, February 26: The House … Continue Reading
Upcoming Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Summit U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen reported last week that 20,000 foreign fighters are joining ISIL and other extremist organizations. Secretary of State John Kerry also observed that thousands of extremist fighters have been killed in Syria and in Iraq, including many foreign fighters. This week, the White House … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Confirmation Hearing This Wednesday morning, the Senate Armed Services Committee will convene a hearing to examine Ashton Carter’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense. While he is expected to face questions critical of the Administration’s policies, it is anticipated that Mr. Carter will eventually be confirmed by the full Senate. FY 2016 Budget … Continue Reading
FY 2016 Budget Request President Obama said he intends to release his FY 2016 Budget Request on February 2nd. While not yet confirmed by the Senate to be the next Secretary of Defense, former Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is expected to present the FY 2016 Defense budget. Meanwhile, last week, the Senate Armed Services … Continue Reading
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Last Thursday, the House passed the Senate-House compromise FY 2015 Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon NDAA by a vote of 300-119. Retiring House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-California) gave his farewell address on the House floor last week, imploring, “I hope sometime next year a compromise can … Continue Reading
