The House GOP is considering a short-term plan to increase the debt ceiling. They believe the extra time might result in “modest” spending concessions from Democrats and the White House, House Budget Committee chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, told reporters Thursday after huddling with fellow House Republicans during their annual retreat in Williamsburg, V.A. - Read more at The Hill
DEFENSE CUTS WILL "HOLLOW OUT" FORCE FAST If Congress allows the $52 billion in sequester cuts to slash the Pentagon’s budget this year, the American military will be less prepared in months and unprepared in a year, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey warned Thursday.
“We won’t be able to do the kind of live-fire training that pilots need. Flying hours [and] steaming hours will be cut back, and it’ll take about a year to feel the full effect,” Dempsey said. “What we’re experiencing is the potential for hollowness related to readiness…We’ve got the people. We’ve got the equipment that we need, but we won’t have the ability to train.” - Read more at Defense.gov