USA. Lawmakers to debate defense hike, Afghanistan at NDAA markup (Joe Gould, Defense News)

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., (4th L) speaks as House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., (5th L) and other House Republican veterans listen during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Aug. 31, 2021. McCarthy held a news conference on a Republican effort to pass legislation that they hope will hold the Biden administration accountable for what Republicans are calling a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Sparring over the size of the defense budget and partisan recriminations over the U.S. exit from Afghanistan are expected to dominate the House Armed Services Committee’s marathon markup of its annual policy bill on Wednesday.

On Monday, centrist Rep. Elaine Luria, of Virginia, became the only Democrat to come out in favor of a Republican amendment to boost the bill’s top line by $25 billion. Because panel Democrats hold a two-seat majority, Democrats cannot afford any other defectors if Republicans unify.

Lawmakers to debate defense hike, Afghanistan at NDAA markup (defensenews.com)