Senate approves new SOUTHCOM head
In mid-January Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan told senators he would want to conduct an analysis of SOUTHCOM capabilities and “really build on the strength.”
Congress
Pentagon Set For Temporary Weekend Shutdown, As Senate Votes On Final Spending Deal
While the Senate will vote Friday night on a spending deal that includes final fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations, the Pentagon is set to have a temporary lapse in funding […]
Coast Guard chief talks icebreaker plan, fate of MH-65 Dolphin
“We’ve gotten that input back [from industry] on both the light and the medium variants, and we’re analyzing that information right now as we develop an acquisition plan to move forward with acquiring the light and the medium ice breaking c…
Appropriators Don’t Grant Army’s Full Agile Funding Push, ‘Discourage’ Future Requests
Congressional appropriators did not grant the Army’s push for new agile funding authorities in the final defense spending bill, and said they “discourage” the Pentagon from pursuing similar requests in […]
Houses Passes Final $839 Billion FY ‘26 Defense Spending Bill, Heads To The Senate
The House on Thursday evening voted 341 to 88 to pass the final $839 billion fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill. The measure was part of a three-bill “minibus” spending […]
Appropriators Restore Funding For Several Of Army’s Planned Cuts, Rebuke JLTV Decision
Congressional appropriators have restored funding in the final fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill for several of the programs the Army planned to cancel as part of its new transformation […]
Beyond 2025: What defense leaders need to watch in 2026
What’s in store for 2026? Breaking Defense reporters examine how the decisions, disruptions, and developments of 2025 could shape the year ahead.
Appropriators Fund More Multi-Years For Munitions, But Not All Of DoD’s ‘Very Late’ Request
The final fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill approves eight critical munitions for multi-year contracts, while the list does not cover the entirety of a larger request proposed by the […]
Golden Dome Budget Data Still Lacking, Impeding Oversight, Appropriators Say
The Trump administration has yet to provide Congress with budgetary and other information about the Golden Dome homeland missile defense program as directed, impairing congressional oversight of the multi-billion dollar […]
Final FY ‘26 Defense Spending Bill Has $8.4 Billion Increase, Addresses Some ‘Broken Glass’ Requirements
Congressional appropriators on Tuesday unveiled the final $839 billion fiscal year 2026 defense spending bill, including an $8.4 billion topline boost covering some but not all of the priorities sought […]