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President Trump on Friday ordered the Pentagon to immediately set about the work of figuring out how much money the Defense Department will need to overcome what military leaders have said are serious readiness problems brought on by years of political deadlock over the federal budget.
The National Military Families Association wants an increase in family support if end strength numbers rise.
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis is the only member of the Trump administration's Defense team to be nominated, yet alone undergo a confirmation hearing.
Just hours after the conclusion of James Mattis' confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of Defense, a broad bipartisan majority of 81 senators voted Thursday to make an exception from the seven-year cooling off period for military officers and allow him to become the department's top civilian leader.
Congress’ two defense policy committees were set to meet Thursday to consider whether retired Gen. James Mattis should be the next secretary of Defense, something both houses of Congress will have to approve since his confirmation would require the suspension of a federal law that demands military officers be out of uniform for seven years before they become the military’s civilian boss.
The expected nomination of retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to become secretary of defense depends on a one-time change to federal statutes that require military officers to have been retired for at least seven years before becoming the civilian leader of the Pentagon.
The next defense secretary can expect lots of pressure from Capitol Hill, which in turn will find itself under minor siege by defense industry lobbyists.