Pentagon May Hold Salaries Hostage If Congress Does Not Pass Spending Bill

Reuters
July 15, 2010

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

The Pentagon said on Wednesday it may be forced to take extreme measures — like not paying salaries — if the Democratic-led Congress fails to pass a $37 billion defense spending bill before lawmakers begin an August recess.

A senior Democratic aide said lawmakers would find a way to get it done. “We will pass it this work period. We have to,” the aide said.

Tensions are growing in the Pentagon about the fate of the bill, which has languished in Congress despite repeated pleas for action by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who needs to fund a 30,000-troop surge for the Afghan war.

The White House has added to the drama, threatening to veto the bill over $800 million in education spending cuts that were added by the House of Representatives.

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This article was posted: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 8:25 am

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