The rough draft of the defense topline for fiscal year 2018 is significantly higher than the figure sought by the Trump administration, though negotiations continue and a partisan budget battle remains likely, according to multiple sources inside three separate House committees. Congressional aides said House Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) is joining forces with fellow Texan Mac Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to draft legislation that would provide $640 billion for defense in FY-18,...
