BUDGET/DEFENSE/NATIONAL SECURITY: “The National Defense Authorization Act is a massive $696 billion defense policy bill that covers everything from F-35 fighter jets to Guantanamo Bay to military pay raises.
It’s also a prime opportunity for Democrats to try to force politically difficult votes on Republicans dealing with President Donald Trump’s business ties, his family members in the administration and his relationship with Russia.
Lawmakers have submitted more than 400 amendments to the defense spending bill that the House is debating this week, as it’s one of the few so-called ‘must-pass’ measures still around in Congress. The bill has been signed into law now for 55 straight years.
The legislation always attracts hundreds of amendments because it covers a wide swath of policy, and it’s the first major national security bill of the Trump administration where Democrats can use amendments to try to pin down Republicans on Trump.
There are proposed amendments to review the security clearances of Trump family members, to require reports on the cost of presidential travel to Trump proprieties, and to prevent the Pentagon from spending money on hotel rooms at Trump properties.
There are also a host of amendments dealing with Russia and election hacking, cybersecurity sharing and Syria.”
-Jeremy Herb, “Democrats plant Trump landmines for GOP on defense bill,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, July 12, 2107 01:00pm