WASHINGTON - Sen. Tom Kaine (D-Va.) gave an ominous warning to some 100 representatives, from companies that help build nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, that Congress may not pass a budget for FY 2024. Kaine told the members of the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition that lawmakers are divided over the debt ceiling and overall spending. Gridlock likely means lawmakers may have to rely on a full-year continuing resolution (CR) to cap defense spending at FY-23 levels. The coalition had assembled to lobby Congress to approve multi-ship contracts for carriers, but Kaine suggested they may have to fight for Congress to do its basic duty - pass a budget. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is deadlocked with the White House over raising the debt ceiling amid GOP demands to curb spending while wanting to increase the defense budget. At the same time, another issue within the GOP caucus in the coming months will rear its head regarding additional emergency defense and economic spending for Ukraine. The newest political dynamics likely means DoD may have to contend with a flat budget (sans inflation) or sweeping budget cuts if lawmakers force themselves into a corner. (Defense News 04/11/23) From Ukraine to debt ceiling, it’s a balancing act to pass FY24 budget (defensenews.com)
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