House Armed Services chair ‘deeply concerned’ by White House budget delays – By Joe Gould (Defense News) / April 14 2021
WASHINGTON ― The Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee blasted the White House on Tuesday for “dragging their feet” on the federal budget, urging its release by May 10 to avoid a continuing resolution.
“I am deeply concerned about the Biden administration dragging their feet on getting us the damn budget,” Rep. Adam Smith of Washington said at a Ronald Reagan Institute event, noting that the White House is prioritizing pandemic relief and infrastructure spending.
“I am really worried if we get into mid- to late May and we don’t have the specific budget numbers, then you’re guaranteed a continuing resolution; we don’t have time to do our job,” Smith warned. “Shout it from the rafters. I can’t get the White House to take my calls on this one. Just send it to us. We need it in order to pass a budget and move forward.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Smith painted an unusual picture of dysfunction there: Officials at the White House budget office want numbers too, but they are stalled by White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and the Cabinet.
