Navy and Marine Corps say US forces at risk if Congress doesn't pass a defense budget

The nominees to head the Navy and the Marine Corps warned the Senate Tuesday that failing to secure a proper defense budget would have a devastating effect on the ability of both services to operate in the future.

Congress has until Oct. 1 to come up with a defense budget for fiscal 2020. If it doesn’t, the body will have to pass a temporary continuing resolution or return to strict spending caps put in place by 2013’s Budget Control Act. Both situations would harm the Navy and Marine Corps, according to the nominees.