AP sources: Armed Services chairman to retire

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, who as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has struggled to protect defense spending against deficit hawks, has decided to retire after 21 years in Congress, Republicans officials said Wednesday.

The 75-year-old McKeon was expected to announce his plans on Thursday at a Capitol Hill news conference. His office declined to confirm the news, with spokeswoman Alissa McCurley simply saying, “The congressman will make an announcement when he is ready to make the announcement.”