McCain to block DOD funding transfers

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) says he'll no longer approve Defense Department requests to shift money between accounts, Defense News reports.

Other than for emergencies, McCain said he will not approve DOD requests to move money until he receives a detailed report on funding transfers over the last two years; as ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain has the power to singlehandedly block those requests, the article noted.

The administrative process, known as reprogramming, allows flexibility in moving money between accounts as needs change during the year. Last year, Congress approved between $12 billion and $15 billion in those transfers, McCain said, adding that this year DOD has sent seven transfer requests to Congress that total more than $850 million.