Senator Tim Kaine Criticizes House GOP's 'Substandard' CR and Departure After Vote

Concerns Over Continuing Resolutions (CRs)

• 📌 Senator Kaine highlights that CRs have become normalized, extending beyond the initial October 1st deadline and even into the next calendar year, a practice he criticizes.
• ⚠️ He states that while a CR is preferable to a government shutdown, accepting a "substandard" CR that harms national defense is unacceptable.

Impact of CR on Military Readiness

• 🚢 Admiral Kilby confirms that under a CR, 11 ships will miss their scheduled maintenance, potentially setting back the goal of achieving 80% readiness for ships and submarines.
• 📈 Skipping maintenance availabilities means they will be doubled up for the next cycle, leading to unforeseen work and complications.
• 💰 While flexibility to move money might address some maintenance issues, it will likely come at the expense of other programs.

House GOP Actions and Priorities

• 🏛️ Kaine criticizes the House GOP for voting on a CR and then adjourning, suggesting this demonstrates misplaced priorities as adversaries watch.
• 🗓️ He contrasts this with the Senate appropriators who had a deal at the end of the previous year, expressing hope for a short-term CR followed by an Omnibus budget.

Joint Counter-UAS Efforts

• 🎯 Regarding counter-UAS readiness, General Mingus describes the Joint Counter-UAS Office (JCO) as a joint entity working on the problem for the joint force.
• 📈 He grades the current joint effort as a "B+" compared to two years ago but a "C" compared to where it needs to be, citing rapid technological changes and adversary advancements.
• 🚀 The pace of development in counter-UAS is deemed insufficient given the evolving threat landscape.