Valerie Insinna

Washington, D.C., United States

Senior Reporter, Congress and Defense Industry at Breaking Defense

Covering Congress and the defense industry for @breakingdefense . Military plane meme aficionado. Mother of @ImpalerCat. She/her

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Articles

Democrats say potential Qatari 'gift' of a new Air Force One raises 'serious' concerns

2 days ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s plan to “temporarily” transform a Boeing 747 originally owned by Qatar’s royal family into a new Air Force One plane came under fire from congressional Democrats today as a “serious” potential conflict of interest and national security risk, with some vowing to take action against the move.
Army Secretary Says It Will be ‘Success’ If Prime Contractor Dies on His Watch

2 days ago | dealbreaker.com | Ashley Roque |Valerie Insinna

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll hasn’t masked his desire to shake up the defense sector but he upped the ante this week, calling it a “success” if a large prime contractor closes its doors in the coming years if they can’t start operating more efficiently. “I will measure it as success if in the next two years, one of the primes is no longer in business, and the rest of them have all gotten stronger,” he said Thursday on the TBPN podcast.
Army secretary says it will be 'success' if prime contactor dies on his watch

5 days ago | breakingdefense.com | Ashley Roque |Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll hasn’t masked his desire to shake up the defense sector but he upped the ante this week, calling it a “success” if a large prime contractor closes its doors in the coming years if they can’t start operating more efficiently. “I will measure it as success if in the next two years, one of the primes is no longer in business, and the rest of them have all gotten stronger,” he said Thursday on the TBPN podcast.
Pentagon to deliberate splitting E-6B mission set, handing back key nuclear C2 role to Air Force

6 days ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is considering separating missions currently performed by the E-6B Mercury command post, military officials said Wednesday, a development that could lead the Air Force to start a new aircraft program focused on command and control of the nation’s nuclear assets.
Elon Musk Sat in on Job Interview for Air Force’s Top Civilian

6 days ago | dealbreaker.com | Valerie Insinna

SpaceX founder Elon Musk was present at President Donald Trump’s interview of his Air Force Secretary nominee Troy Meink, confirmed Meink in written responses to Sen. Elizabeth Warren obtained by Breaking Defense. Musk was “one of many” people present at the meeting and only Trump directed questions toward the nominee, Meink stated.
Union workers strike at Pratt & Whitney plant where F-35 engine is made

1 week ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — About 3,000 union workers for Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut have gone on strike, including machinists involved in the manufacture of the F-35’s engine, but the company says it has “contingency plans in place to maintain operations.”On Sunday, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) voted to reject a contract offer from Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, and go on strike.
Trump administration to request $1T defense budget using reconciliation funds

1 week ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will request a $1 trillion national defense budget in fiscal 2026, but will only hit those record levels by including more than two thirds of the $150 billion in extra defense funds contained in Republican reconciliation megabill currently making its way through Congress.
HASC approves $150B defense increase as GOP shuts down amendments to curb Hegseth, DOGE

2 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The House Armed Services Committee voted through a $150 billion boost to defense funding today, after Republicans shot down almost two dozen Democratic amendments that were largely a referendum of the Signalgate scandal and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership of the Pentagon. The bill was approved in a 35-21 vote, with Democratic Reps. Donald Davis, Jared Golden, George Whitesides, Gabe Vasquez and Eugene Vindman joining Republicans to pass the bill.
'Blatant disregard': Air Force, Senate panel face off over infrastructure spending

2 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Michael Marrow |Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — Over the past several months, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin has repeatedly stressed a key message: The Air Force has roughly 30 percent excess infrastructure, and if the service is going to free up funds necessary to spend on top priorities, officials must be able to shrink installation footprints where prudent.
Shipbuilding, Golden Dome and munitions win big as GOP unveils $150B bill to boost defense

2 weeks ago | breakingdefense.com | Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — Shipbuilding, the Golden Dome missile defense effort and munitions production were the big winners in the reconciliation bill put forward by the Republican leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, making up about half of the $150 billion investment. The defense funding is one piece of what will become a larger package of spending increases and cuts in line with President Donald Trump’s priorities.

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