Connor O'Brien

RT @FarnoushAmiri: Scoop: More than six weeks after President Trump announced his plans to nominate former National Security Adviser Mike W…

Republicans succeed in sidelining Dems' effort to take down Andy Harris' words in the Appropriations Committee in a 30-20 vote.

Connor O'Brien @connorobrienNH

Defense bill debate sidelined in House Appropriations as Dems try to have Andy Harris' words taken down after he said they "don't have respect for military." After recessing, Cole deemed Harris' words were in order. Dems asked to appeal the ruling, and Rs look to table that.

Defense bill debate sidelined in House Appropriations as Dems try to have Andy Harris' words taken down after he said they "don't have respect for military." After recessing, Cole deemed Harris' words were in order. Dems asked to appeal the ruling, and Rs look to table that.

House Approps Chair Tfom Cole, opposing a bid to add $300M or Ukraine to the defense bill, tells members it will sink the bill. Dems are opposed and it will splinter Rs. "I want to get a defense bill done, and I'm not interested in dividing those who will support it," he says.

RT @reporterjoe: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to say whether he would follow the courts if they ruled against President Donald Tr…

"I think your tenure as Secretary of Defense has been shameful and weak and you should resign," Rep. Pat Ryan tells Hegseth.

House Appropriations just defeated an amendment from top Dem Rosa DeLauro to block $ to retrofit a Qatari jet to serve as Trump's Air Force One as part of their defense spending bill. "Maybe you'll get a ride on the plane!" DeLauro calls to Republicans before they vote no.

“It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?” Turner asks. “Because I sure as hell hope that is not your testimony.” Hegseth responds: “We look forward to working with Greenland” to ensure its security.

Connor O'Brien @connorobrienNH

Mike Turner tried to help Hegseth on this, asking him to clarify that he’s not saying there’s a plan to take Greenland. Hegseth won’t go there. 1/2

Mike Turner tried to help Hegseth on this, asking him to clarify that he’s not saying there’s a plan to take Greenland. Hegseth won’t go there. 1/2

Aaron Rupar @atrupar

SMITH: Is it the policy of the DoD that we need to be prepared to take Greenland and Panama by force if necessary? HEGSETH: I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency SMITH: I don't think the American people voted for Donald https://t.co/aJflOKF80B

RT @atrupar: SMITH: Is it the policy of the DoD that we need to be prepared to take Greenland and Panama by force if necessary? HEGSETH: I…

RT @CongSynopsis: House appropriators are marking up the Defense bill. Several Democrats are warning Congress is on a path to another year-…

It’s flown under the radar with Hegseth’s testimony this week, but House Appropriations marks up its FY26 defense spending bill today. Rs crafted the $831B bill without a full DoD budget. We look at some of appropriators’ concerns about top DoD initiatives in @morningdefense: https://t.co/ZjL49ESzBU

RT @YarrowGrace: News - House Republicans canceled their 9am Appropriations member briefing set for tomorrow Appropriators were planning…

RT @dave_brown24: Hegseth on Wednesday insisted the Pentagon’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles was lawful. He just couldn’t cite the la…

FWIW McConnell didn't use the term flat, but instead called it a cut when accounting for inflation. He estimated that in real terms, the admin's request for DoD's base budget "is lower than fifteen of the last twenty" budget requests.

Connor O'Brien @connorobrienNH

Mitch McConnell gavels in today's hearing with Pete Hegseth by criticizing the Trump admin's flat base defense budget. He says he wants to know "whether this budget flows from a strategy or instead defines and limits the strategy."

RT @halbritz: SecDef Hegseth repeatedly declined today to say how much a contract will cost to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One, saying…

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine split when Lindsey Graham asks if Putin will stop at Ukraine. "I don't believe he is," Caine says. "Remains to be seen," Hegseth says. "Well, he says he's not!" Graham says. "This is the 30s all over. It doesn't remain to be seen."