House Dem: No Path To More DoD Spending

WASHINGTON — A senior US House appropriator doubts Congress will address pending military budget cuts any time soon.

House Appropriations Defense subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., told Pentagon brass on Wednesday that there are "insurmountable" political roadblocks for any plan to raise defense spending caps or get rid of sequestration.

To raise caps set in legal stone by the 2011 Budget Control Act or end the cuts put in place under the same law, members would have to approve legislation with other deficit-cutting measures.

But Visclosky sees something "blocking every path forward."

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the subcommittee that "avoiding sequestration" is a major component of defense officials and lawmakers living "up to our responsibility of defending this country and the global order."

Carter acknowledged that "even under sequestration, America will remain the world's strongest military power."

But, he warned the members, "under sequestration, our military — and our national security — would have to take on irresponsible and unnecessary risk, risk that previous administrations and congressional leaders have wisely chosen to avoid."

While subcommittee members agreed with Carter's assessment, none laid out a plan during the hearing that they believe represents a politically feasible path toward raising the defense caps or getting rid of some or all of the remaining sequester cuts.

What's more, it appears unlikely that the coming Republican 2016 budget resolution will include higher defense caps.

More In Congress

New US Space Force jammers aim to disrupt China’s SATCOM signals

The Remote Modular Terminals, which disrupt adversary satellites by "yelling in their ear," as one official put it, are cleared for initial fielding,

Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the service is not sized to meet increasing threats from China and Russia.

SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission

The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months.

Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations

The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.