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Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, left, the U.S. European Command’s top general, said schools, fitness centers, chapels and other meeting places on U.S. installation at Vincenza, Italy, are closed until Wednesday and there is a 50 percent chance that those areas would remain closed beyond the middle of the week.

Coronavirus threatens U.S. military base operations in Europe, general says

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 25, 2020 at 12:28pm
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., has said for years that as long as he can fly a plane upside down, he will continue to run for reelection.

Inhofe to announce reelection decision in March

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 24, 2020 at 6:23pm
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., walks past protesters as he leaves the Capitol after the Senate impeachment trial proceedings on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Senate votes to acquit Trump on both impeachment charges

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted February 5, 2020 at 4:19pm
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., leaves the Capitol after the conclusion of the Senate impeachment trial proceedings on Feb. 3. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators pack up desks as impeachment trial nears its end

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted February 3, 2020 at 5:20pm
Photojournalists take photos of Ken Starr, a member of President Donald Trump’s defense team, as he leaves the Capitol after the conclusion of the Senate impeachment trial proceedings Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

House managers, Trump lawyers appeal to the other side in closing arguments

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted February 3, 2020 at 4:48pm
From left, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., leave the Senate Republicans’ caucus meeting in the Capitol during a recess in the Senate impeachment trial proceedings on Friday evening. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Restless senators eager to flee impeachment court for weekend

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 31, 2020 at 8:42pm
House managers Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., walk to the Senate chamber for the start of the Senate impeachment trial proceedings on Jan. 31. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Senate rejects motion for witnesses at Trump impeachment trial

By Patrick Kelley
Posted January 31, 2020 at 5:42pm
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, arrives for the continuation of the Senate Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

With Alexander a no on witnesses, impeachment trial enters stretch run

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted January 30, 2020 at 11:08pm
House managers Adam Schiff, D-Calif., center, Jason Crow, D-Colo., left, and counsel Daniel Goldman, are seen in the Capitol Rotunda before the continuation of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

First day of Trump trial Q&A yields some questions lawyers simply can’t answer

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted January 29, 2020 at 10:30pm
Alan Dershowitz, left, an attorney for President Donald Trump, greets Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in the Capitol before the continuation of the impeachment trial Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators swap notes and jockey for questions at Trump trial

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley, Lindsey McPherson and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 29, 2020 at 9:45pm
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, talks with reporters in the Senate subway before the continuation of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Lots of cross-party talk — and cross-contamination — at Senate trial

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 28, 2020 at 6:32pm
An iPhone playing the House impeachment managers’ news conference Monday sits on the floor of the Senate Reception Room before the start of the trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Dershowitz argues Trump cannot be convicted without a criminal offense

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 27, 2020 at 7:46pm
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is surrounded by reporters Friday as he arrives for the Senate Republicans’ lunch before the start of the day’s impeachment trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators suffer through sniffles and sleepiness at Trump trial

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Griffin Connolly
Posted January 24, 2020 at 9:01pm
House impeachment managers Zoe Lofgren and Adam B. Schiff, center, walk through the Ohio Clock Corridor on Friday on their way to a news conference before the start of the day’s impeachment trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

House managers focus on Trump’s ‘defiance’ in closing of impeachment presentation

By Patrick Kelley and Griffin Connolly
Posted January 24, 2020 at 8:27pm
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst arrives for the Senate Republicans’ lunch in the Capitol before the start of Thursday’ impeachment trial session. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators sit, spin and fidget during Trump trial

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 23, 2020 at 9:00pm
Republican Sens. James M. Inhofe and Lamar Alexander enter the Senate chamber before the start of the impeachment trial in the Senate on Jan. 22. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators seek comfort and novelty during Trump trial

By Todd Ruger, Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted January 22, 2020 at 9:55pm
California Rep. Adam B. Schiff speaks during a news conference Wednesday with the other House impeachment managers before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes at the Capitol. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

House managers stick to script on first day of Trump trial arguments

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 22, 2020 at 9:05pm
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives for the start of the impeachment trial on Tuesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Senate approves Trump trial rules, lining up a series of late nights

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted January 22, 2020 at 1:56am
Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, arrive at the Capitol on Tuesday for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

View from the gallery: Senators struggle to sit in silence at Trump trial

By Todd Ruger, Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted January 21, 2020 at 5:51pm
Speaker Nancy Pelosi presides over the House vote on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

House impeaches Trump

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted December 18, 2019 at 12:00pm
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., talks to reporters after Tuesday’sa meeting of the House Democratic Caucus in the Capitol, where impeachment was barely discussed. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

As impeachment vote approaches, Democrats busy talking about other things

By Lindsey McPherson, Patrick Kelley and Todd Ruger
Posted December 17, 2019 at 1:01pm
Rep Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. holds up a copy of the Constitution while voting for one of the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Judiciary Committee sends Trump impeachment articles to the House floor

By Patrick Kelley
Posted December 13, 2019 at 10:10am
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., left, and ranking member Doug Collins. R-Ga., speak with their aides before the start of the House Judiciary Committee markup of the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, in the Longworth Building on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Nadler pushes votes on impeachment articles to Friday morning

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted December 12, 2019 at 11:02am
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif., listen as Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks during the press conference to announce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

House Judiciary to draft abuse of power, obstruction impeachment articles

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted December 10, 2019 at 10:03am
A poster depicts California Rep. Adam B. Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, as “missing” on Monday at the House Judiciary Committee. Schiff’s absence was one of the themes pressed by Republicans during the lengthy hearing on the impeachment of President Donald Trump. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

House Democrats hurtle toward Trump impeachment

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted December 9, 2019 at 4:41pm
Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., left, takes his seat as ranking member Doug Collins, R-Ga., looks on before the start of the House Judiciary Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Nadler hints Trump impeachment inquiry could expand beyond Ukraine

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted December 4, 2019 at 11:50am
Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., leaves the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump on Nov. 15. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Intelligence Committee details ‘overwhelming’ evidence of Trump misconduct

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted December 3, 2019 at 2:38pm
Fiona Hill, former senior director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council, and David Holmes, political counselor for the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, are sworn in before testifying during the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Fiona Hill forceful, direct in countering Republican defense of Trump

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted November 21, 2019 at 4:56pm
Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of Defense, right, and David Hale, undersecretary of State for political affairs, are sworn in before they testify before the House Intelligence Committee during a hearing on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump on Nov. 20. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Pentagon official says Ukraine asked about military aid in July

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted November 20, 2019 at 7:21pm
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, director of European affairs at the National Security Council, and Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, arrive for the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump on Tuesday. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Trump ally grills key witnesses in impeachment inquiry on whistleblower

By Katherine Tully-McManus and Patrick Kelley
Posted November 19, 2019 at 11:55am
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik questions former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch on Friday during a House Intelligence hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Stefanik seizes the spotlight at Trump impeachment proceedings

By Patrick Kelley
Posted November 18, 2019 at 4:36pm
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch takes her seat for the House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Ousted ambassador gives deeply personal account of firing by Trump

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted November 15, 2019 at 10:51am
Ranking member Devin Nunes, R-Calif., Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and minority counsel Stephen Castor, confer during the House Intelligence Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry of President Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

GOP relies on familiar defenses as impeachment hearings open

By Patrick Kelley and Katherine Tully-McManus
Posted November 13, 2019 at 3:14pm
William Taylor, the senior U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, are sworn in at the House Intelligence Committee hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Intelligence Committee leaders set stage for contentious hearing on Trump impeachment

By Patrick Kelley
Posted November 13, 2019 at 11:14am
House Republicans hold a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center to call for more access to the impeachment depositions. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Most Republicans on impeachment committees aren’t showing up, transcripts reveal

By Michael Macagnone and Patrick Kelley
Posted November 5, 2019 at 6:35pm
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the results of the vote on a resolution outlining rules for the next phase of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Thursday. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times/Pool)

House Democrats adopt rules for public impeachment proceedings

By Lindsey McPherson and Patrick Kelley
Posted October 31, 2019 at 11:32am
Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi listens as the acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on the Capitol on Sept. 26. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Raja Krishnamoorthi steps up to impeachment role

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 28, 2019 at 5:30am
Matt Lieberman, son of former Sen. Joe Lieberman, is running for Senate in Georgia.  (Screenshot/Lieberman for Senate/YouTube)

Candidate’s ex-senator dad lobbies for Chinese tech firm. That could be a problem

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 21, 2019 at 5:30am
From right, Reps. Mark Meadows, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan and Scott Perry are among the president‘s top defenders in the House. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Freedom Caucus steps into the GOP messaging gap

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 15, 2019 at 5:30am
House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., speaks to reporters in the Capitol after learning the State Department had blocked Ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying to the committee on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Democrats, Trump lock in on impeachment standoff

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 8, 2019 at 12:00pm
Kurt Volker, former U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, arrives at the Capitol Visitor Center to be deposed by House committees as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Thursday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

GOP laments Schiff’s handling of Ukraine probe, Volker testimony

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 3, 2019 at 1:41pm
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick departs a meeting with congressional staffers and Rep. Jamie Raskin on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Mysterious dossier delivered to Congress by State Department watchdog

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 2, 2019 at 6:34pm
Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on the Capitol on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Intel chief calls whistleblower complaint ‘unprecedented’

By Patrick Kelley
Posted September 26, 2019 at 10:27am
Don't know what to expect when lawmakers return from recess? CQ Roll Call has you covered. (Nathan Ouellette/CQ Roll Call)

Lawmakers return to Washington, here’s what to expect

By David Lerman, Lindsey McPherson, Nathan Ouellette, Niels Lesniewski and Patrick Kelley
Posted September 9, 2019 at 5:13pm
Pentagon officials say the diverted money would be used to build 11 separate segments of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. (Mario Tama/Getty Images file photo)

Pentagon to begin diverting construction funds for border wall

By David Lerman and Patrick Kelley
Posted September 3, 2019 at 8:25pm
Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten was advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Senate Floor.(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Armed Services sends Hyten nomination to floor despite sexual assault allegations

By Patrick Kelley and John M. Donnelly
Posted July 31, 2019 at 5:29pm
The Senate confirmed late Tuesday by voice vote David L. Norquist, Defense Comptroller/CFO, to be deputy Defense secretary. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate confirms Norquist for No. 2 Pentagon job

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 31, 2019 at 1:38pm
Heather A. Wilson, former secretary of the Air Force, introduces Air Force Gen. John Hyten during his confirmation hearing to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

For Joint Chiefs nominee, a subdued hearing addressing contentious charges

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 30, 2019 at 5:27pm
Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper prepares to testify during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 16, 2019. He said in a press conference Wednesday five candidates for Pentagon jobs will have confirmation hearings in the coming weeks. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Esper content with defense budget, calls for ‘stable leadership’

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 24, 2019 at 5:30pm
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who sits on the committee, told reporters that Hyten’s accuser testified in a closed-door meeting. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate Armed Services hears from Hyten’s accuser

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 24, 2019 at 10:50am
Chiarman Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., left, shakes hands with Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper before the start of Esper’s confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 16, 2019. He was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Senate confirms Esper to be Defense secretary

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 23, 2019 at 12:47pm
Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper prepares to testify during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Esper, Milley nominations head to floor; Hyten‘s fate unclear

By Patrick Kelley and John M. Donnelly
Posted July 18, 2019 at 5:02pm
The committee will probably vote overwhelmingly to give its consent to Army Secretary Mark Esper becoming the next Pentagon chief. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Armed Services panel to huddle on three top Pentagon nominees

By John M. Donnelly and Patrick Kelley
Posted July 18, 2019 at 10:49am
The Senate Armed Services committee is expected on Thursday to approve Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper as the next Pentagon chief. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

Esper approval likely, but sexual assault allegations slow Joint Chiefs vice chair pick

By John M. Donnelly and Patrick Kelley
Posted July 17, 2019 at 5:28pm
Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., talks with ranking member Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, right, before a House Armed Services Committee markup in Rayburn Building on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

House approves NDAA with no Republican votes

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 12, 2019 at 4:55pm
Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper, left, and Gen. Mark A. Milley, Army chief of staff, testify during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing March 26, 2019. Esper is expected to go before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday for a hearing on his confirmation to be the next Defense Secretary. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Confirmation hearing planned Tuesday for Trump’s Defense secretary pick

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 11, 2019 at 1:44pm
“There is virtually no opportunity to improve the bill,” said Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking member on the Armed Services Committee. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Republicans signal opposition to defense bill as floor debate kicks off

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 11, 2019 at 11:18am
To attract more tech experts, the Department of Defense should create a universities-to-Pentagon pipeline, professors say. (iStock)

Tech vanguard is dodging Pentagon

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 9, 2019 at 5:30am
Sens. Tom Udall, D-N.M., right, and Tom Carper, D-Del., talk with reporters in the basement of the Capitol before the Senate Policy luncheons on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. Udall had offered an amendment to the defense authorization bill that would have blocked President Donald Trump from launching a war with Iran without congressional approval. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Senate rejects efforts to limit Trump’s ability to launch war with Iran

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 28, 2019 at 4:35pm
From left, Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, conduct a news conference in the Capitol after the Senate Policy luncheons on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. As part of a compromise on the NDAA, McConnell said Wednesday he would allow a vote on language blocking President Donald Trump from launching a war against Iran without congressional approval. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Unorthodox Senate deal clears path for Thursday NDAA vote

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 26, 2019 at 5:18pm
From left, Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Todd Young, R-Ind., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., conduct a news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday after the Senate policy lunches. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

NDAA future uncertain amid amendment disputes

By Patrick Kelley and Niels Lesniewski
Posted June 25, 2019 at 6:22pm
Aerial view of the Pentagon building photographed on Sept. 24, 2017. The House decision to block a Trump ban of transgender people from serving in the military in the 4-bill spending package lines up what will surely be a battle with the Senate during conference negotiations later this year. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Trump’s military transgender ban blocked in House spending bill

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 19, 2019 at 11:05am
A protester shows support for the border wall at a September 2018 rally at the Capitol. The wall is expected to be a flashpoint at the annual Pentagon policy bill debate Wednesday at the House Armed Services panel. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Border wall, nuclear weapons to spark partisan fight at defense bill debate

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 11, 2019 at 11:26am
An F-35 fighter jet taxies out for a training mission at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the first base to get combat-ready F-35s in 2017. (George Frey/Getty Images file photo)

As Turkish leader courts Russia, U.S. prepares to cut ties

By Patrick Kelley
Posted May 31, 2019 at 3:00pm
Special counsel Robert Mueller is seen on a monitor in Russell Building making a statement at the Department of Justice on his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Kelly O’Donnell of NBC News listens in the background. CQ Roll Call reporter Todd Ruger discusses the special counsel’s first public statement in two years on the long-awaited Mueller report.. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Lawmakers on impeachment and F-35s to Turkey

By Patrick Kelley, Shawn Zeller and Todd Ruger
Posted May 31, 2019 at 2:18pm
The USS Newport News (R) secures itself next to its sister Los Angeles-class submarine USS Boise (L) after returning to Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia. House appropriations said it plans to move $650 million of the Navy 2020 shipbuilding funds toward the maintenance of three submarines: USS Boise, USS Hartford and USS Columbus. (Mike Heffner/Getty Images)

House appropriators put a premium on fixing decaying subs

By Patrick Kelley
Posted May 21, 2019 at 11:16am
Demonstrators hold up signs protesting a possible Space Force before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 11, 2019, in Washington, DC. The House Defense Appropriations subcommittee provided $15 million in its defense spending bill, much lower than the administration’s request for $72.5 million. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)

Space Force gets cautious OK in House defense spending bill

By Patrick Kelley
Posted May 20, 2019 at 2:10pm
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford (center) is seen while protesters hold up signs before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. The acting defense secretary is pitching the idea of creating a Space Force as a separate branch of the military to Congress. (Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)

Senators remain skeptical of Space Force

By Patrick Kelley
Posted April 11, 2019 at 3:47pm
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who chairs the House Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, described the Pentagon’s plan as “circumventing Congress to get funding for the wall.” (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Pentagon wants Congress to replenish funds Trump taps for border wall

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 28, 2019 at 5:03am
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., warned the Pentagon and his GOP colleagues that a future president could expand the use of emergency powers to justify policy spending they may not agree with. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call file photo)

No military threat at southern border, top U.S. general says

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 26, 2019 at 2:15pm
Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., left, and ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., attend a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Hart Building on the U.S. Central Command on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, testified. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Reed: Congress should be consulted on any Colombia deployment

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 7, 2019 at 5:28pm
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard greets veteran Celestino Almeda in 2017. The Hawaii congresswoman is one of three sitting Armed Services members eyeing the presidency. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Armed Services experience is ‘in’ for 2020 presidential

By Patrick Kelley
Posted January 17, 2019 at 11:14am
President Donald Trump wants to create a “Space Force” to defend vulnerable U.S. satellites. (Matt Stroshane/Getty Images file photo)

Trump Loves Space Force. Can He Convince Skeptical Lawmakers?

By Andrew Clevenger and Patrick Kelley
Posted December 3, 2018 at 11:15am
Homeland Security officials have detected scanning of elections systems. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

DHS Detects Elections Systems Scanning

By Patrick Kelley
Posted November 6, 2018 at 3:51pm
The final verdict on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh may be delivered in the midterm elections. (POOL PHOTO/SAUL LOEB/AFP)

Midterm Elections Hold Ultimate Verdict on Kavanaugh

By Todd Ruger and Patrick Kelley
Posted October 8, 2018 at 5:05am
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., speaks with reporters following the cloture vote on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Daines Now Says He Will be Back in D.C. for Kavanaugh Vote If Needed

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 5, 2018 at 11:26am
Dozens of protesters, including many sexual assault survivors, demonstrate against the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Latest Kavanaugh Allegations Send Senate Into Chaos

By Todd Ruger and Patrick Kelley
Posted September 26, 2018 at 1:57pm
President Donald Trump talks to Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson, right, and Director and Chief Test Pilot Alan Norman in front of an F-35 fighter jet during the 2018 Made in America Product Showcase July 23, 2018 at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Congress Again Blocks F-35 Transfers to Turkey

By Patrick Kelley
Posted September 14, 2018 at 12:43pm
Sen. James M. Inhofe. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Inhofe Armed Services Leadership to Depart Drastically From McCain’s

By Patrick Kelley
Posted August 28, 2018 at 1:00pm
Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., and 15 other senators wants the Trump administration to work with the IMF to offer developing countries in need of infrastructure financing alternatives to Chinese credit. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Don’t Let China Snag Another Foreign Port, Senators Warn

By Patrick Kelley
Posted August 7, 2018 at 5:03am
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., has managed the defense authorization bill this year. The measure is on its way to the president for his signature earlier than usual. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate Sends Trump a Defense Authorization That Could Rein In His Parade

By Patrick Kelley
Posted August 1, 2018 at 2:39pm
Language championed by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard among others has landed in the defense authorization bill that would prohibit terror groups from getting weapons from Pentagon. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

Congress to Terror Groups: Hands Off Our Weapons

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 25, 2018 at 11:15am
President Donald Trump stands in front of an F-35 fighter jet at the White House on July 23, alongside CEO Marillyn Hewson and test pilot Alan Norman of Lockheed Martin. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Stealth Fighter Sale to Turkey Risks Russian Interference

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 25, 2018 at 5:04am
The Senate confirmed Robert Wilkie, left, to be Veterans Affairs secretary. Here he discusses his nomination with Senate Veterans Affairs Chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate Confirms Robert Wilkie to be Veterans Affairs Secretary

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 23, 2018 at 6:09pm
Veterans Affairs secretary nominee Robert Wilkie prepares to testify in front of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Wednesday June 27, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

VA Nominee: Shorter Wait Time, Easier Access

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 28, 2018 at 7:36am
Ohio Rep. Michael R. Turner, who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, is waiting for a Pentagon report before evaluating the need for Space Force. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Trump’s Space Force Order Would Need Congressional Action

By Patrick Kelley
Posted June 19, 2018 at 5:01am
President Donald Trump reviews border wall prototypes in San Diego in March. His priorities are driving much of the discussion around this year’s NDAA. (Evan Vucci/AP file photo)

Nuclear Weapons, Border Wall, Military Parade Among NDAA Issues

By Patrick Kelley
Posted May 8, 2018 at 5:01am
Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Adam Berry/Getty Images)

White House Announces New Russian Sanctions

By Patrick Kelley
Posted April 6, 2018 at 10:16am
Aerial view of the Pentagon building photographed on Sept. 24, 2017. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Budget Proposal Funds Latest Pentagon Strategy

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 12, 2018 at 2:45pm
Defense Secretary James Mattis says the National Defense Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review were crafted on the “assumption that timely and efficient funding” would be delivered to the Pentagon. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Mattis Lists Budget Priorities, Warns Against Another Stopgap

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 7, 2018 at 5:00am
Defense Secretary James Mattis, pictured here, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Paul J. Selva will testify before the committee Tuesday morning to brief legislators on the Pentagon's recently completed National Defense Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Top Pentagon Brass to Brief Lawmakers on New Strategies

By Patrick Kelley
Posted February 5, 2018 at 1:00pm
President Donald Trump speaks at Tuesday night’s State of the Union. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Trump Applauds ISIS Defeat, Keeps Heat on North Korea

By Patrick Kelley
Posted January 30, 2018 at 11:33pm
 Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is ending his cancer treatment. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

McCain Still Steering Armed Services From Arizona

By Patrick Kelley
Posted January 24, 2018 at 6:43pm
The Senate so vigorously opposes the Space Corps proposal that it adopted by unanimous consent an amendment — offered by Sens. Bill Nelson and Tom Cotton, shown here in 2016 — to the Senate NDAA that would block it. (Bill Clark/Roll Call)

House Appoints Defense Bill Negotiators As Space Corps Fight Looms

By Patrick Kelley
Posted October 13, 2017 at 5:03am
Tillerson at his confirmation hearing. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Podcast: The Trump Doctrine on Foreign Policy

By Shawn Zeller and Patrick Kelley
Posted October 6, 2017 at 3:01pm
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, center, seen here with Gen. David L. Goldfein, right, chief of staff of the Air Force, is opposed to the creation of Space Corps, seeing it as within the purview of her service branch. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Space Corps Proposal Has Military Brass Going Orbital

By Patrick Kelley
Posted September 19, 2017 at 11:32am
Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, left, seen here with Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, expressed regret the chamber could not agree on how to bring up all the amendments senators wanted to vote on. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Senate Set to Pass Defense Authorization Measure

By Patrick Kelley
Posted September 18, 2017 at 5:00am
Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., will manage a sprawling floor debate on the Pentagon policy bill starting this week. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Drama Awaits Senate Debate on Pentagon Policy

By Patrick Kelley
Posted September 11, 2017 at 10:54am
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and colleague Barbara Lee, D-Calif. proposed an amendment that prohibits money being spent on uniforms for the Afghan National Army. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

House Passes $658 Billion Defense Spending Bill

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 28, 2017 at 4:03pm
Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, followed here by Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, sponsored the language to provide money for a border wall with Mexico. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

House Readies Debate on Defense Amendments

By Patrick Kelley
Posted July 27, 2017 at 11:47am