House lawmakers today, questioning Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, debated the adequacy of President Biden's proposed $753 billion defense budget, with Democrats and Republicans differing on the importance of $25 billion in unfunded priorities lists the military services have submitted to Congress.House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) said he viewed the unfunded priorities lists, which are required by law, as a "forcing mechanism" to inject more money into the defense budget, regardless of what the administration has officially requested."No matter how large the budget, there's always this list of unfunded requirements," he said. "What we really need to do is to force more effectiveness out of the money that we get."Smith, however, said many members of Congress see the lists as cause for alarm - top Republicans say the UPLs should be seen as "risk lists," rather than "wish lists" - and asked Austin and Milley to provide their views.Austin said the current budget request will provide the U.S. military the "right flexibility" it needs to compete and dominate China, the DOD "pacing challenge."
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