WASHINGTON – The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee says he'll push to increase defense spending by $37 billion more than President Donald Trump proposed to pay for more troops and new weapons.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Rep. Mac Thornberry says he'll seek $640 billion for the Defense Department in the 2018 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Thornberry's comments came a day after the House Budget Committee agreed on a fiscal outline that would provide the military $20 billion less.
Thornberry says he'd be willing to agree to a lower number if he can be assured that future defense budgets will be sufficient to rebuild the military.
He says his blueprint to be released early next week will include a 2.4 percent pay raise for U.S. service members.
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