HOUSE DEMS SEIZE POWER: With their takeover of the House Tuesday, Democrats are now positioned to rein in defense spending and create a headache for President Trump as he pursues a Space Force and controversial policies such as restrictions on transgender military service. The new majority is also expected to turn the page on two years of unified Republican rule by naming Rep. Adam Smith, a staunch critic of the president and skeptic of big Pentagon budgets, the new House Armed Services Committee chairman next year.

It is poised to be a major shift after leadership by Rep. Mac Thornberry and the late Sen. John McCain on Congress’ armed services committees led to major hikes in defense spending, a big-ticket political win for Trump. Now, Democrats have the influence to redirect that spending, rethink Republican defense policies and launch an array of hearings on administration policies that were marginalized during their time in the minority. Here are some issues to watch:

Recommended Stories

Jim Mattis still can’t bring himself to endorse Space Force, and neither can other Pentagon leaders

Jim Mattis tried to explain what’s next with ‘war games’ on the Korean Peninsula. It got confusing

House marks up defense budget while Senate policy bill hits a snag