Wsj Editorial Board: U.S. Marines and Risk

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

On Monday 15 Marines and one Navy sailor died when a Marine KC-130 crashed, with debris covering a field in Mississippi. It’s too early to draw conclusions about what caused the transport plane to suffer a catastrophic failure on its flight from North Carolina to California, reportedly at cruising altitude. But such tragedies are becoming more routine and deserve some attention.

Chairman Thornberry's Closing Floor Speech on Ndaa

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

WASHINGTON - Today the House passed the NDAA with a strong bipartisan vote of 344-81. Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered a closing floor speech in support of the bill. Read some of his remarks below and watch the speech here:

Heritage on Defense Spending

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

As the House debates the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act this week, the conservative Heritage Foundation has just released an influential report that argues defense spending should be “sized to our obligations” and underwrite the capabilities needed to meet those obligations.

Thornberry Talks Defense Bill at Leadership Stakeout

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

Today, Chairman Thornberry (R-TX) joined Speaker Ryan, Leader McCarthy, Conference Chair McMorris Rodgers and others to talk about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) at the leadership stakeout. See some of his remarks below and click here to watch the Chairman's remarks: "Sometimes I think when we see something repeatedly we tend to take it for granted. And it is true that…

Thornberry Talks Ndaa on Newsmakers

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

WASHINGTON - Friday, Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) joined C-SPAN's Newsmakers to talk about the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act. Thornberry released the bill today ahead of the Committee's markup on Wednesday. To watch the entire segment click below:

Thornberry Talks Defense Budget & Afghanistan Troop Levels

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

WASHINGTON - On Sunday, Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) joined Maria Bartiromo of Fox's Sunday Morning Futures to discuss the reported plans for additional troops in Afghanistan. The Chairman also brought up the defense budget and how it currently doesn't meet the needs of the warfighter. Watch the entire interview below:

Defense Drumbeat: How to Get through Marathon Markups? Red Bull and Coffee

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

Washington Examiner - Travis TrittenName: Zach Steacy Hometown: Philadelphia Position: Director of legislative operations for the House Armed Services Committee Age: 34 Alma mater: Connecticut College--- Washington Examiner: You've been here for a decade. Has D.C. changed you?Steacy: If anything, I think maybe it's changed me for the better. I've grown a lot. Professionally, I've learned…

Why the U.S. is Right to Invest in Nuclear Weapons

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

Americans don't often hear much about U.S. nuclear weapons. Despite their historical and continued importance to the strategic defense of our country, the most powerful weapons in the U.S. military arsenal are largely outside of the public view.

141 House Republicans Call for Repeal of Defense Budget Caps

| Posted in Defense Drumbeat

POLITICO: Scores of House Republicans led by Mike Turner are urging House leaders to take "immediate action" to repeal the caps on defense spending set by the 2011 Budget Control Act.In a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan 141 Republican lawmakers committed to supporting legislation repealing the budget caps. Turner... said he expects the high number signatures will build momentum toward a vote…

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