Topic: Buck McKeon

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Panetta says US ready on Syria if required

The Secretary of Defense insisted, however, that diplomacy was the best option.
US troops in Afghanistan: How big is shift from 'combat' to 'assistance'?

The US plan to end its combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2013, shifting to an 'advise and assist' role, may not mean a huge change for troops on the ground.
Cracks in GOP promise of no new taxes for deficit cuts?

To help the deficit 'super committee' reach a deal, some Republicans appear to be open to the idea of ending some tax breaks, despite opposition from antitax crusaders.
Deficit 'super committee' flooded with ideas. Will any of them work?

Friday is the deadline for congressional committees to submit ideas to the deficit 'super committee.' But there's little indication that any of the ideas signal an openness to compromise.
Terrorism & Security
Torture debate overshadows US unity after bin Laden's killing

Half of Americans credit Bush for Osama bin Laden's killing, reigniting a debate over tactics including secret prisons and 'enhanced interrogation' techniques.
With Obama's speech, momentum gathering to cut defense spending

Like Medicare and Social Security, cutting defense spending has been something of a 'do not enter' zone for many lawmakers. But that may be changing.
F-35 jet a waste of taxpayers' dollars, say McCain, Gates

F-35 jet: Defense Sec. Robert Gates, the Pentagon, the White House and Sen. John McCain all say development of a second F-35 jet engine is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Robert Reich
America’s biggest jobs program: The US military

If we didn’t have the military to employ millions of Americans, the US unemployment rate would be over 11.5 percent today instead of 9.5 percent. Is having a massive military jobs program the best way to employ Americans?
Counting the votes: Enough to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'?

It appears as if Democrats will rally enough votes in the House to pass a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.' The situation in the Senate is less clear, though the bill seems set to get through committee.
Terrorism? Fort Hood report doesn’t mention Islamic extremism.

At congressional hearings Wednesday on Fort Hood, House Armed Services Committee Republicans said Islamic extremism is the ‘800 pound gorilla’ in the room.
On Uncle Sam's role in public schools, Republicans have it backward

Federal construction money is OK; No Child Left Behind isn't.