Cochran offers DOD cap buster

WASHINGTON - Ahead of a bipartisan budget deal expected before the end of 2017, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has recommended a $650.7B spending package for the military in FY 2018. The Nov. 21 proposal includes $581.3B in base Defense Department funding, $64.9B for Overseas Contingency Operations war-time funding, and $4.5B the president wanted in emergency funding for missile defense. Cochran’s draft proposal was not put to the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, which he also heads, for a vote. It never was subject to the amendment process. It likely reflects the work product of the appropriations committee, with minority input – and as a marker for the Senate GOP’s position in ongoing budget negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House. (Source: Military Times 11/21/17)