Time Is Really Running Out: The 2006 defense appropriations spending bill moved another notch, while the authorization bill is where?. The Senate appropriations committee on Wednesday advanced the 2006 defense spending measure to the Senate floor. (DR, 09/28/05) Meanwhile, Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Wednesday that one option under consideration was to push the authorization measure through as an amendment to the appropriations bill. Appropriators appear receptive, but they want some of the fat trimmed off first. The 2006 authorization bill has about 200 amendments-in-waiting.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
