Devex: Defense Department officials pressed on aid, as military emerges as key voice in budget debate
“U.S. foreign aid came up repeatedly in two defense-related congressional hearings this week, drawing attention to the impact of the White House’s proposed budget cuts in conversations meant to focus on the military. Five senators at the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing on Wednesday sought Defense Secretary James Mattis’s and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford’s comment on the impact of President Donald Trump’s proposed … cuts to the foreign aid budget. Mattis and Dunford offered tempered replies. But the exchanges are indicative of how the defense community is emerging as a key voice in the fight to push back against cutting State Department and aid budgets. A number of retired generals have spoken out publicly and met with lawmakers about the damage such reductions could cause to American influence across the globe…” (Saldinger, 3/23).