House takes up progressive-led defense spending cuts this week – By Joe Gould (Defense News) / Sept 21 2021
WASHINGTON― House progressives will have a few chances to hold down the defense budget this week, but it’s going to be an uphill fight.
The House is set to vote this week on two Democratic amendments to cut the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act’s $740 billion top line. One would reduce it by roughly 10 percent, and another would undo a $24 billion a plus-up the House Armed Services Committee passed earlier this month.
Key Republicans have warned that cutting the NDAA would cost their support, which Democrats likely need to pass the bill. When the House Rules Committee met Monday to screen amendments, the panel’s top Republican, Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, said his party likes the bill as-is.
“So long as this bill remains largely in its current form and the funding levels remain where they are, I think you will see overwhelming support from Republicans,” Cole said.
