Connor O’Brien

@connorobriennh.bsky.social

Defense reporter covering Congress for POLITICO | ask me if the NDAA is a ‘defense spending bill’ | send tips and sage grouse gifs: cobrien@politico.com

SecDef Pete Hegseth made a “rookie mistake” when he said returning to Ukraine’s pre-war borders “unrealistic,” SASC Chair Roger Wicker said. “I don’t know who wrote the speech—it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” he said. www.politico.eu/article/sena...

Senior Republican senator ‘puzzled’ and ‘disturbed’ by Hegseth’s Ukraine remarks

Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker is breaking with the line from the Trump White House.

politico.eu

Senate Armed Services top Dem Jack Reed says following his meeting with SecDef pick Pete Hegseth: “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.”

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers announced his slate of subcommittee chairs... Cyber: Don Bacon Intel/Special Ops: Ronny Jackson Personnel: Pat Fallon Readiness: Jack Bergman Seapower: Trent Kelly Strategic Forces: Scott DesJarlais Tactical: Rob Wittman

In an NDAA statement, Biden criticizes care restrictions for transgender youth (which he just signed into law). Says it undercuts the force by denying care to troops’ kids. “No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our Nation.”

Bild

Per a person familiar, the House GOP Steering Committee selected 7 new members for the Armed Services Committee on Monday: Derrick Van Orden Mark Messmer John McGuire Derek Schmidt Pat Harrigan Abe Hamadeh Jeff Crank

House Armed Services top Dem Adam Smith tells Bloomberg of his former House colleague Tulsi Gabbard: "She didn't do that much on the committee that I noticed." He also notes the concerns about her stances on Syria, Russia and Ukraine.

Selected Dems who voted for NDAA, despite transgender language: -Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries -Dem Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar -Approps Chair Rosa DeLauro -NJ governor candidates Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill -Former Dem leaders Hoyer and Clyburn www.politico.com/news/2024/12...

House passes major Pentagon bill despite Dem revolt over transgender health care

The fight over medical care for transgender children overshadowed many of the bipartisan provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.

politico.com

NEW: The House passed an $895 billion defense bill Wednesday, but lawmakers were split over language barring gender affirming medical care for transgender kids. Just 81 Dems voted for the NDAA, which passed 281-140. www.politico.com/news/2024/12...

House passes major Pentagon bill despite Dem revolt over transgender health care

The fight over medical care for transgender children overshadowed many of the bipartisan provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.

politico.com

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers not happy about Johnson pushing transgender medical care language in NDAA. He predicts passage will be close because Dems won't help. "We would have 375, 380 votes but for that one provision, which is irrelevant after January 20," he says.

JUST IN: Top House Armed Services Dem Adam Smith will oppose the NDAA over the prohibiting coverage for medical treatments for transgender kids. He says Mike Johnson “chose to pander to the most extreme elements of his party in an attempt to retain his speakership.”

BildBild