Stopgap funding is undercutting US military modernization, while another budget time bomb is about to explode

TICK, TICK, TICK…: This week, Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie took a swipe at Congress for congratulating itself for doing the absolute minimum requirement of its job, voting to keep the government funded for two more months, while a deadlock remains on major legislation, including 12 budget bills and emergency aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan.

“You look at Washington. These jokers take a victory lap for not closing the government and think, like, they deserve a big round of applause for that,” Christie said at a town hall in New Hampshire Monday. “Congratulations, you didn’t close the government you’re supposed to be down there running.”