The debate over the fiscal 2017 defense policy bill on Thursday will feature the classic clash between Democrats and Republicans on defense versus non-defense spending.
The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on moving forward with both an amendment from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to boost defense spending by $18 billion as well as a second-order amendment from Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., that would replace McCain's plan with one to increase non-defense spending by an equal amount.
McCain has said that the $18 billion increase in the overseas contingency operations account would go to military priorities not funded by the president's budget request, including about $1 billion for Army aircraft procurement, $2.5 billion for Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and $385 million for an additional littoral combat ship.
"Will you vote to give our military service members the resources, training and equipment they need and deserve? This vote will be that simple," McCain said Wednesday during debate on the Senate floor.
McCain's proposal is likely to enjoy support among Republicans. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told reporters Wednesday at the Heritage Foundation that he would support the increase as a step toward a much-needed and even larger increase in future years.
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05.01.2024