Congress has named all 12 members of the joint committee charged with coming up with $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. The 12-member committee, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, has until Thanksgiving to reach a compromise and present it to the full Congress, which then has to vote by Christmas with either a yes or no—amendments are prohibited from being tacked on to the committee’s proposed legislation. If the vote doesn’t take place, a trigger provision kicks in automatically slashing the Pentagon’s budget. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named the final three members Aug. 11. They are: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.). The other Democrats are: Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who will co-chair the committee. Republicans are: Co-chair Rep. Dave Camp (Mich.), Rep. Fred Upton (Mich.), Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), and Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.). (Pelosi release) (Politico report)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.