Stormy: Cash for defense industry

WASHINGTON – While the Defense Department is on the hunt for billions of dollars in a future package to combat the coronavirus pandemic, it appears the next massive relief bill will be a political battle royal. DoD announced it is seeking funds to prop up the military’s network of suppliers, following $3B in new “progress payments," to increase cash flow to primary contractors and vulnerable small subcontractors. Details have yet to be disclosed, but the Pentagon is working with the White House budget office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said last week he wants to “push the pause button” on the next aid package and “move cautiously” because Democrats aim to center bailouts for states hit hard by the pandemic. “(M)y goal from the beginning of this, given the extraordinary numbers that we’re racking up to the national debt, is that we need to be as cautious as we can be,” McConnell told reporters April 21. The Senate will reconvene in full May 4 to work on aid legislation. It’ll be the first time the chamber has been back in full since late March. There doesn’t appear to be any room for a quick compromise after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) set herself at odds with McConnell. “There will not be a bill without state and local” aid. McConnell’s stance is based on a projected report from the Congressional Budget Office that the federal budget deficit would quadruple to $3.7T, driven by the coronavirus and a government spending on testing, health care, and aid to businesses and households. The current national debt is $24.6T. Defense hawks in the Senate are warming up for more defense spending. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has voiced support for an additional cash infusion for the defense industry. (Source: Defense News 04/27/20) https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/04/27/storm-clouds-await-pentagons-request-for-defense-industry-cash/.