McCain & Reed Request Information from DOD on Effects of Continuing Resolution

Statement

Washington, D.C. ­-- U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, this week sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis requesting specific information about the ramifications of beginning fiscal year 2018 on a continuing resolution.

"It is long past time for Congress and the White House to begin serious negotiations on a budget deal," said Chairman McCain. "If we do not, the Department of Defense will begin the next fiscal year on a continuing resolution with spending constrained by the Budget Control Act cap. We know from previous testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee that continuing resolutions have significant negative impacts on our military. If this is the path Congress decides to take, we must know the consequences we are choosing for our men and women in uniform."

"For months, Senate Democrats have called for a bipartisan budget agreement on defense and domestic spending," said Ranking Member Reed. "A continuing resolution serves the important purpose of keeping the government running, but as Chairman McCain points out, it could mean real problems for Department of Defense and other agencies. It is high time for the Trump Administration to actually start governing and work on a bipartisan basis to resolve the budget."

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