Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress this week he wants to boost defense spending by as much as 5 percent between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, though partisan politics may block his path. Mattis told the House Armed Services Committee Monday night that 3 percent growth above inflation would be enough to maintain military strength, but said it would take 5 percent to actually expand the force and put it on a path to recruiting tens of thousands more troops...
