EXCLUSIVE — MCCAIN AND THORNBERRY TO PROPOSE MAJOR DEFENSE BUDGET INCREASE: Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) are planning to pitch about $640 billion in national defense spending for the coming 2018 fiscal year, sources tell Morning D. The proposal, which could come as early as this week, is the most concrete sign yet that defense hawks plan to seize upon President-elect Donald Trump’s upset victory to push for a boost in defense spending in a big way and pursue a major military buildup.
Sources close to the Armed Services leaders tell Morning D: “Chairmen McCain and Thornberry have begun working together on the defense budget for fiscal year 2018. The two chairmen agree that a base defense budget of around $640 billion will be required to meet national security requirements. The chairmen intend to detail their plans in the coming days.” Read more
Source: www.politico.com