Republicans’ government spending bill gives Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “blanket authority” over the department’s fund, specifically allowing him to pick and choose the programs he’ll spend on.
Hegseth would just have to submit his proposed changes to the lawmakers 30 days before shifting the funds, according to the continuing resolution text.
“It’s historic,” Rep. Mike Rogers, the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, told NOTUS of the continuing resolution, which is expected to pass the Senate with some Democratic support Friday. “Usually the appropriators will not go along with that kind of authority and they gave blanket authority.”