Back from August recess, lawmakers are quickly tackling the hot topic of national security—particularly the war in Iraq. A host of Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, sent a letter to President Bush, decrying “escalating violence, increasing instability in the region, and an overall strain on our troops that has reduced their readiness to levels not seen since Vietnam.” They urge the President to “change course,” including a “phased redeployment of US forces from Iraq before the end of the year.” Oh, and immediately, they would like the President to oust Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In response, the Senate Majority Whip, Mitch McConnell, issued a statement saying the Democratic leadership “finally agrees on something—unfortunately it’s retreat.”
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
