Defense One

Policy

The GOP's Iran Frustration Signals a Lack of Options in Months Ahead

Republicans are irate over the Obama administration’s handling of Iran—and there’s little they can do to stop it.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
January 22, 2016

Policy

Senate Leader Surprises Lawmakers with New ISIS War Powers Request

Neither Republicans nor Democrats knew the majority leader planned to set up a debate on authorizing the use of force against the Islamic State.

Sarah Mimms and Alex Rogers, National Journal
January 21, 2016

Policy

Congress Plans To Keep Government Open

A short-term spending measure would keep the government running until early December.

Sarah Mimms
September 28, 2015

Policy

Lawmakers Reheat War Over Defense vs Non-Defense Spending

The announcement from Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is seen as a coup for Democrats who want a plan to raise budget caps on both defense and nondefense spending.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
September 17, 2015

Policy

September Will Be Make or Break Month for the Iran Deal in Congress

The August recess will give leaders and outside groups ample time to drum up support for their sides.

Daniel Newhauser and Sarah Mimms, National Journal
August 5, 2015

Policy

Sen. Cardin Is Now the White House's Man on Foreign Relations

In Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, the Obama administration gains a key ally on its Iran and Cuba policies.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
April 2, 2015

Policy

Menendez To Give Up Top Post on Foreign Relations Committee

The New Jersey Democrat's decision will deprive Democrats of a hawkish foreign policy voice during a critical time in international relations.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
April 1, 2015

Policy

The Provision That Could Destroy the Sequester

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael Enzi added a small provision into the Senate GOP budget designed to provide the flexibility to alter budget caps again.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
March 25, 2015

Threats

Republicans Really Need Democrats To Pass the Iran Deal Bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to pass a bill quickly, but Democrats want to slow the clock down and wait for negotiations to conclude.

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
March 4, 2015

Policy

McConnell: 'Up to House' To Fund Homeland Security

Only 16 days remain before funding for the department expires, and Congress remains more gridlocked than ever on the issue.

Sarah Mimms and Daniel Newhauser, National Journal
February 11, 2015

Threats

US Adds Extra Ebola Screening on Flights from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone

All passengers flying from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea into the US will be required to enter the country through five major airports for additional screening. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
October 21, 2014

Policy

Senate Approves Obama's Mission To Train Syrian Rebels

In its last pre-election move, Congress sends the president a bill to arm and train properly vetted members of the Syrian opposition. By Michael Catalini and Sarah Mimms

Michael Catalini and Sarah Mimms, National Journal
September 19, 2014

Policy

The GOP Thinks Obama Learned His Lesson On Benghazi

After Benghazi, Republicans are happy to see the president beef up embassy security in Iraq. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
June 20, 2014

Policy

Senate Announces Bipartisan Deal to Fix the VA

The wide-ranging bill clears a path for removing senior officials and grants more money to hire doctors and nurses at backlogged facilities across the nation. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
June 5, 2014

Business

Before Resigning, Shinseki Announces Several Reforms at VA

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki took a parting shot before quitting Friday as he fired several senior leaders and canceled bonuses. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms
May 30, 2014

Policy

VA Official Says There Are No Secret Wait Lists

During a testy 4-hour hearing on the Hill Wednesday night, a top Veterans Affairs official said the waiting lists were produced automatically by their data system. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
May 29, 2014

Business

VA Inspector General Says Wait Lists Are a ‘Systemic Problem'

The IG report confirms that 1,700 veterans waited at least 115 days for care at the VA hospital in Phoenix as the investigation widens to 46 facilities. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
May 28, 2014

Policy

Here are the Democrats Picked for Benghazi Committee Duty

Pelosi picks Armed Service Committee's Smith and veteran Tammy Duckworth to joust with GOP's Benghazi team. By Elahe Izadi and Sarah Mimms

Elahe Izadi and Sarah Mimms, National Journal
May 21, 2014

Threats

Lawmakers Fear Nigerian Forces Are Unwilling to Pursue Boko Haram

A 1997 U.S. law is preventing the Pentagon from taking a more active role in the hunt for Boko Haram. By Sarah Mimms

Sarah Mimms, National Journal
May 16, 2014

Policy

Senators Eyeing Changes to Military Retiree Pensions

The budget looks like it will pass on Wednesday, but lawmakers are already gearing up to make plenty of fixes in the coming months. By Sarah Mimms and Michael Catalini

Sarah Mimms and Michael Catalini, National Journal
December 18, 2013

Republicans are irate over the Obama administration’s handling of Iran—and there’s little they can do to stop it.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats knew the majority leader planned to set up a debate on authorizing the use of force against the Islamic State.

A short-term spending measure would keep the government running until early December.

The an­nounce­ment from Kentucky Senator Mitch Mc­Con­nell is seen as a coup for Demo­crats who want a plan to raise budget caps on both de­fense and nondefense spend­ing.

The August recess will give leaders and outside groups ample time to drum up support for their sides.

In Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, the Obama administration gains a key ally on its Iran and Cuba policies.

The New Jersey Democrat's decision will deprive Democrats of a hawkish foreign policy voice during a critical time in international relations.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael Enzi added a small provision into the Senate GOP budget designed to provide the flexibility to alter budget caps again.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to pass a bill quickly, but Democrats want to slow the clock down and wait for negotiations to conclude.

Only 16 days remain before funding for the department expires, and Congress remains more gridlocked than ever on the issue.

All passengers flying from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea into the US will be required to enter the country through five major airports for additional screening. By Sarah Mimms

In its last pre-election move, Congress sends the president a bill to arm and train properly vetted members of the Syrian opposition. By Michael Catalini and Sarah Mimms

After Benghazi, Republicans are happy to see the president beef up embassy security in Iraq. By Sarah Mimms

The wide-ranging bill clears a path for removing senior officials and grants more money to hire doctors and nurses at backlogged facilities across the nation. By Sarah Mimms

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki took a parting shot before quitting Friday as he fired several senior leaders and canceled bonuses. By Sarah Mimms

During a testy 4-hour hearing on the Hill Wednesday night, a top Veterans Affairs official said the waiting lists were produced automatically by their data system. By Sarah Mimms

The IG report confirms that 1,700 veterans waited at least 115 days for care at the VA hospital in Phoenix as the investigation widens to 46 facilities. By Sarah Mimms

Pelosi picks Armed Service Committee's Smith and veteran Tammy Duckworth to joust with GOP's Benghazi team. By Elahe Izadi and Sarah Mimms

A 1997 U.S. law is preventing the Pentagon from taking a more active role in the hunt for Boko Haram. By Sarah Mimms

The budget looks like it will pass on Wednesday, but lawmakers are already gearing up to make plenty of fixes in the coming months. By Sarah Mimms and Michael Catalini

The announcement from Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is seen as a coup for Democrats who want a plan to raise budget caps on both defense and nondefense spending.