Republicans Differ on Spending Priorities

For John, BLUF:  It is time for thinking.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Behind a pay wall The Wall Street Journal discusses "GOP Split Over Expected Obama Request for More Defense Outlays:  Party Is Forced to Prioritize Among Two Top Goals: Boosting National Security and Curbing Spending".

President Barack Obama will send Congress a fiscal year 2016 budget next week proposing both military and domestic spending at levels surpassing the limits lawmakers agreed to in a hard-fought 2011 deal.

After pledging to use their new congressional majority to rein in federal spending, many Republicans are likely to criticize Mr. Obama's plan to ignore the curbs known as the sequester on nondefense spending.  But on military spending, GOP lawmakers are divided over whether the Pentagon should absorb more cuts.

The debate forces Republicans to prioritize among two of the party's top goals: bolstering national security and curbing government spending.  And GOP lawmakers say minimizing either issue could pose long-term threats to the nation.

I expect Democrats in Congress will have similar differences, but perhaps being in the minority will cause them to band together.  Either way, it should be an interesting year in Congress.

Regards  —  Cliff