Defense oversight to change as GOP moves in

Congress

Defense oversight to change as GOP moves in

The leadership of several key defense committees will change hands as a result of the 2010 midterm elections. The transfer of power is expected to reshape defen...

Federal News Network Staff

November 3, 2010 5:43 pm

< a min read

The results of midterm election 2010 are expected to dramatically reshape defense oversight in the House.

Politico reports Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) is expected to serve as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

A number of key Democrats lost their races Tuesday, including Ike Skelton (D-MO), who has served as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. And there are others.

The question now: What is the Republican agenda for DoD? Analysts say we can expect greater oversight on Afghanistan. Republicans may want clarity on the July 2011 deadline for withdrawal. They may also give assurances that if Commander David Petraeus wants more troops, he will get them.

Republicans also may fight any attempts to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and the scheduled closing of the Guantanamo Detention Center. McKeon has pressed the administration before on crafting a comprehensive and coherent strategy on Guantanamo.

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