An expected fight next month over government funding could endanger the lives of U.S. troops if it leads to a temporary shutdown, Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain warned Monday.
“It would put the lives of the men and women serving in the military in greater danger because they can’t train, and, therefore, they are not ready to fight,” the Arizona Republican told reporters Monday. “And we are fighting, as you know.”
The April 28 funding deadline has been on the back-burner for most of President Trump’s brief time in office. The early days of his administration were focused on an historically-long process for confirming his cabinet, as Senate Democrats worked against his nominees. And House Republicans tried unsuccessfully to write an Obamacare repeal and replacement bill, before cancelling a vote on the legislation on Friday.
“If we don’t do something by this summer, the Marines will stop their exercises,” McCain said.
Defense Secretary James Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will appear before his committee Tuesday to testify about the military’s funding needs. But the public won’t hear their testimony, as the hearing is taking place in a closed session.
“That was their request that it be closed, not ours,” McCain said. “They don’t want guys like you to hear it. If I were them, I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t either.”
McCain is going to use the hearing to make the case for more spending. “Honestly, he American people need to know the state of our military,” he said. “I will be constrained by any [request].”
Al Weaver contributed.
