Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wants House and Senate lawmakers to know he is opposed to several provisions in their versions of the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization bill as they head into conference committee deliberations, according to an Oct. 17 letter sent to Capitol Hill and obtained by Inside Defense . The memo, which is traditionally referred to by government officials and staff as a "heartburn letter," is addressed to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and outlines...
