House and Senate Reach Agreement on NDAA, Votes Expected Next Week
Defense
House and Senate Reach Agreement on NDAA, Votes Expected Next Week
2023-12-08 00:11:06
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The Senate and House Armed Services committees announced Thursday that they’ve reached an agreement on the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, jettisoning some, but not all, of the controversial amendments added by House Republicans last summer. Sens.... Read More

House Passes Annual Defense Authorization Bill With Strong Bipartisan Support
Congress
House Passes Annual Defense Authorization Bill With Strong Bipartisan Support
2022-12-08 21:22:38
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday afternoon passed the National Defense Authorization Act, sending the $847 billion, 4,000-page measure on to the Senate for consideration before the end-of-year deadline. After months of negotiation, the annual defense authorization bill passed in... Read More

Congress Says Russia’s Waning Influence Creates New Threats and Challenges
Foreign Affairs
Congress Says Russia’s Waning Influence Creates New Threats and Challenges
2022-11-16 21:18:54
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — As Russian missiles continued raining down on Ukraine, foreign policy experts at a congressional hearing Wednesday predicted the hostilities and economic consequences will long surpass the war. Russia’s economic and political influence in the world is being severely... Read More

Defense Officials Try to Convince Senate US is Prepared if Ukraine War Escalates
Military
Defense Officials Try to Convince Senate US is Prepared if Ukraine War Escalates
2022-03-29 22:55:33
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — Some of the U.S. military’s top brass tried to reassure a Senate committee Tuesday their supply lines and infrastructure are prepared to defend the United States and allies. An implied question behind the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing... Read More

Ukraine-Russia Crisis: What to Know as the Tension Grinds On
Geopolitics
Ukraine-Russia Crisis: What to Know as the Tension Grinds On

Spiking tensions in eastern Ukraine are heightening Western fears of a Russian invasion and a new war in Europe, with U.S. President Joe Biden saying he's "convinced"  that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade. NATO countries... Read More

<strong>Former Defense Dept. Leader Claims Right to Book Publication</strong>
Books
Former Defense Dept. Leader Claims Right to Book Publication
2022-01-28 22:25:57
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON — Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told a federal judge in Washington, D.C., Thursday that he is close to reaching an agreement with the Biden administration on redacting parts of his upcoming memoir. Defense Department officials are concerned it... Read More

Stephanie Murphy, a Leading Centrist, Won’t Seek Reelection
Political News
Stephanie Murphy, a Leading Centrist, Won’t Seek Reelection
2021-12-20 18:54:15
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., among the most prominent of House moderates since flipping a battleground district four years ago, announced Monday she will not seek reelection in 2022. In a video message to her constituents, Murphy said she... Read More

Blue Dogs Endorse Slate of NDAA Amendments to Support US Service Members
Congress
Blue Dogs Endorse Slate of NDAA Amendments to Support US Service Members
2021-09-22 15:58:47
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON -- The Blue Dog Coalition of House Democrats has endorsed a slate of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.  These amendments include measures that the Blue Dogs contend would strengthen support for U.S. service members as they transition... Read More

Here’s How Much the Afghanistan War Cost Taxpayers
Defense
Here’s How Much the Afghanistan War Cost Taxpayers
2021-08-18 20:42:25
by Reece Nations

Costs associated with the United States' “Global War on Terror” have mounted significantly in the nearly 20 years following the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks. The underlying mission of the Global War on Terror in 2001 was to fortify... Read More

DOD to Perform First Review of Private Contracts In Over 30 Years
Defense
DOD to Perform First Review of Private Contracts In Over 30 Years
2021-07-23 15:53:48
by Brock Blasdell

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense is conducting its first fiscal research study in over 30 years to determine the efficiency and overall health of the military industry and its private contractors. The decision comes as part of a push... Read More

Defense Supply Chain Management Systems Are Vulnerable, GAO Says
Defense
Defense Supply Chain Management Systems Are Vulnerable, GAO Says
2021-06-24 14:30:50
by Reece Nations

WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office issued a report this week addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the Department of Defense inventory management systems used to manage the national defense supply chain. Risks in six inventory management systems run by the Defense... Read More

DOD Advised to Provide Congress With More Info On PFAS Costs
Defense
DOD Advised to Provide Congress With More Info On PFAS Costs
2021-06-22 19:35:08
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - Despite being in the early phases of an investigation into PFAS contamination at nearly 700 U.S. military installations, the Department of Defense says the future environment clean-up of these facilities will cost at least $2.1 billion and likely... Read More

Airstrikes Still a Possibility After Afghan Pullout
Defense
Airstrikes Still a Possibility After Afghan Pullout
2021-06-10 13:07:39
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department may seek authorization to carry out airstrikes if the capital of Kabul or any other major city in Afghanistan is in danger of falling to the Taliban after the U.S. completes the withdrawal of its... Read More

White House Opens Pacific Coast to Commercial-Scale Wind Farm Development
Energy
White House Opens Pacific Coast to Commercial-Scale Wind Farm Development
2021-05-25 19:08:18
by Dan McCue

The Biden administration is opening up the northern and central coasts of California to the first commercial scale offshore wind farm projects in the region. The first location, called the Morro Bay 399 Area, is roughly 400 square miles off... Read More

Withdrawal from Afghanistan is Safe According to US Defense Officials
Military
Withdrawal from Afghanistan is Safe According to US Defense Officials
2021-05-21 13:05:07
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON -- Defense Department officials tried to reassure sometimes skeptical members of the Senate Thursday that the ongoing U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan can be completed without a resurgence of terrorist threats. President Joe Biden last month ordered the withdrawal... Read More

Cyberattacks Anger Lawmakers As They Prepare a US Response
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks Anger Lawmakers As They Prepare a US Response
2021-05-20 13:00:48
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers who listened to Defense Department officials explain recent cyberthreats Friday gave unmistakable hints that some kind of large-scale U.S. response is coming soon. The hearing of the House Armed Services subcommittee on cyber, innovative technologies and information... Read More

Defense Department Officials Bemoan Increasingly Sophisticated Cyberattacks
Cybersecurity
Defense Department Officials Bemoan Increasingly Sophisticated Cyberattacks
2021-05-19 14:21:38
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON -- Defense Department officials described a bleak outlook for cybersecurity to a Senate panel Tuesday as a report of another huge Internet scam emerged from a new government report. However, they also said they are becoming increasingly sophisticated in... Read More

Biden Terminates Diversion of Funds for Construction of Border Wall
White House
Biden Terminates Diversion of Funds for Construction of Border Wall
2021-05-03 20:49:49
by Daniel Mollenkamp

WASHINGTON- The Biden administration has begun the process of canceling all sections of the border wall that were funded by money diverted from military projects, in relation to a federal walk back of one of the Trump administration's principal policy... Read More

Defense Department Seeks Comments on Supply Chain Risks for Critical Materials
Defense
Defense Department Seeks Comments on Supply Chain Risks for Critical Materials
2021-04-15 17:52:43
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is seeking comments on risks to the supply chain for strategic and critical materials. In February, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the Defense Department and three other federal agencies to closely examine... Read More

Murphy Sets Sights On China’s Influence Campaign in Latin America, Caribbean
Geopolitics
Murphy Sets Sights On China’s Influence Campaign in Latin America, Caribbean
2021-04-13 18:08:33
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON - Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., is pressing for a comprehensive assessment of China’s efforts to expand its presence and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean and how these efforts could undermine American interests. Under the auspices of a... Read More

Green, Cuellar Seek DoD Report on Allied Burden Sharing
In The News
Green, Cuellar Seek DoD Report on Allied Burden Sharing
2021-03-15 19:47:09
by TWN Staff

WASHINGTON - Reps. Mark Green, R-Tenn., and Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, want the Defense Department to provide Congress with a report on the common defense contributions of NATO countries and other allies. Toward that end, they've introduced the Allied Burden Sharing... Read More

Defense and Homeland Discuss Priorities for Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Defense and Homeland Discuss Priorities for Cybersecurity
2021-02-05 19:58:29
by Kate Michael

WASHINGTON — Dramatic changes in the workforce and service delivery have posed unique security challenges over the last year. Evolving technologies are accommodating training and remote work, but new cybersecurity threats continue to emerge.  In the last few years, directives... Read More

Tough Talk Between US and Iran Hints at Attack to Avenge General’s Death
Geopolitics
Tough Talk Between US and Iran Hints at Attack to Avenge General’s Death
2021-01-05 18:24:04
by Tom Ramstack

The U.S. Defense Department changed course Sunday and sent an aircraft carrier to stand ready off the coast of Iran as tensions escalate with the United States. The USS Nimitz was heading home last week after a 10-month deployment in... Read More

Biden Announces New Department of Defense Nominees
Political News
Biden Announces New Department of Defense Nominees
2020-12-30 18:56:25
by Reece Nations

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden announced Kathleen Hicks and Colin Kahl as his nominees for deputy secretary of defense and under secretary of defense for policy on Wednesday.  If confirmed to the positions, they are slated to join Secretary of... Read More

Defense Analysts Caution Against U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan
Geopolitics
Defense Analysts Caution Against U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan
2020-11-20 21:34:46
by Tom Ramstack

WASHINGTON -- Defense analysts warned Congress Friday against the U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan announced this week amid indications that radical Islamists could resume terrorist attacks. They said further proof is needed that Taliban fighters would not try to seize... Read More

Bipartisan Coalition Leads Charge to Strengthen Partnerships with African Nations
Foreign Affairs
Bipartisan Coalition Leads Charge to Strengthen Partnerships with African Nations
2020-11-16 19:00:38
by Sean Trambley

WASHINGTON – Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Anthony G. Brown, D-Md., Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Richard Hudson, R-N.C., have introduced the Africa Foreign Relations, International Cooperation, and Assistance Act, H.R. 8186, to enhance security and economic partnerships between the United States... Read More

Space Force Moon Base Could Become Reality
Military
Space Force Moon Base Could Become Reality
2020-10-01 19:13:37
by Reece Nations

Although still far from happening, United States Space Command leader Maj. Gen. John Shaw said Space Force troops will eventually be sent to space. Shaw’s comments on the Space Force came during the AFWERX Engage Space Conference, which ran from... Read More

Big Data, Big Challenges. Will Big Government be Able to Handle it?
Technology
Big Data, Big Challenges. Will Big Government be Able to Handle it?
2020-09-24 21:18:21
by Kate Michael

WASHINGTON -- Along with the rapid creation of data comes the complications of capitalizing on new capabilities for storing, computing, analyzing and visualizing the information. The Federal News Network convened a panel of top government data officials to discuss how... Read More

Trump to Require Government to Buy American When It Comes to ‘Essential’ Drugs
Prescription Drugs
Trump to Require Government to Buy American When It Comes to 'Essential' Drugs
2020-08-06 17:45:14
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday requiring the federal government to buy "essential" drugs from U.S. companies, a White House trade advisor said. “If we’ve learned anything from the China virus pandemic, it is that we... Read More

Defense Secretary Opposes Use of Active-Duty Troops to Police US Cities
Military
Defense Secretary Opposes Use of Active-Duty Troops to Police US Cities
2020-06-03 19:57:24
by Dan McCue

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday he opposes the use of active-duty military to police U.S. cities and contain current street protests over the death of George Floyd. "I've always believed and continue to believe that the National... Read More

1 2
Straight From The Well
scroll top