To date, there seems to be little dialogue between the “big four” authorizers and appropriators and House and Senate leadership aimed at reaching consensus on defense priorities and the related topline spending levels. Ultimately, Washington must consider two choices: will it go its usual route where the Pentagon, Congress, and the White House negotiate over the politics of how much taxpayer money should be spent on this or that? Or will the federal government pursue a comprehensive evaluation and reconsideration of the nation’s defense strategy?
Read MoreThere are a handful of potential “trip wires” that could derail the appropriations process between now and the end of the fiscal year. It remains to be seen what happens when Congress returns from their recess, and how much governing Congressional Republicans are willing to do to avoid a government shut down just before the midterm elections.
Read MoreAs Congress returned from the Fourth of July holiday this week, the House and Senate will dedicate much of their time between now and the brief August recess to passing legislation to continue funding the federal government. While Congress may ultimately turn to a continuing resolution that punts an omnibus appropriations bill to the lame duck session or into next year, we anticipate that both chambers will try to move as many appropriations measures via minibus packages before fiscal year 2018 appropriations expire on September 30.
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