In their weekly radio address, Republicans pressed for Senate approval of their $612 billion defense authorization bill, a measure that has sparked a major battle between the parties over federal spending.
The House approved a $612 billion defense authorization bill last month, amid protests from Democrats that it exceeds spending limits Congress agreed to through sequestration. The bill skirts the caps by dumping almost $40 billion into a war-funding account used to pay for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Democrats have called the move a gimmick and insist that if Congress spends more on defense than allowed, it must also raise domestic spending. Republicans are likely to resist that move, potentially setting up a major clash this summer. The dispute has the potential to result in a government shutdown later this year.
“The president threatened to veto the defense bill unless Congress provides more funding for all sorts of other agencies, like the IRS and the EPA,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
“When we think about priorities, the number one priority for the federal government is to defend the country and that debate deserves the complete attention of Congress,” said Blunt.
“Providing for America’s active-duty military service members and the security of our nation is never a ‘waste of time,'” he added.
