#Defense

Pentagon officials have given Congress lists of “unfunded requirements” that are in addition to their official 2016 budget requests, attempting again to persuade lawmakers that fiscal austerity efforts are squeezing the Defense Department too tightly. The military services have compiled…

The House and Senate Budget Committees passed proposed budgets last week but infighting over defense spending has left Republican leaders scrambling to solidify support for the plans. Both budgets promise to reduce and eventually end deficits over the next decade…

A congressionally-appointed commission has recommended overhauling health care and retirement benefits for future members of the armed forces. The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission recently produced 15 proposals to change pay and benefits. The commission consisted of former military…

WASHINGTON -- With the release of President Obama’s proposed budget today, The Concord Coalition again urged Washington to focus on policies that would put the federal government on a sustainable track. (more…)

Rising compensation costs were a major driver of growth in the defense budget from 2000 to 2014, according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Budget authority -- the obligations a federal agency can incur in a…

Congress will soon have to decide whether to approve the administration’s recent $5.6 billion request for additional Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding to fight ISIS. The contingency fund generally supports activities related to immediate war efforts and is exempt from…

The Pentagon’s 5-year plan will significantly exceed current spending caps, according to a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).The spending caps were established by the 2011 Budget Control Act. In making its projections, the CBO used some assumptions…

U.S. military leaders recently announced they would ask Congress for more funding to combat the terrorist organization ISIS, a reminder of how unexpected developments can make continuing efforts to restrain defense spending more difficult.Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently said the…