Rep. Wittman pushes $67 billion defense supplement before lame-duck session

Rep. Rob Wittman, vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chair of its Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, urged lawmakers returning in November to prioritize a supplemental spending package that would provide $67 billion to the Pentagon. The money is meant to restock weapon magazines drained by the ongoing war with Iran and to secure longer-term contracts for defense producers. Wittman expects the Senate to act swiftly during the lame-duck session, warning that current readiness accounts are almost depleted.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to rebuild the Navy, revive the maritime industrial base, and develop unmanned systems to counter swarms observed in Ukraine and Iran. Wittman also stressed the need for cheaper solutions, citing the $50,000 Shahad-136 drone versus multi-million-dollar missiles. The push occurs as he faces a close race against Democrat Shannon Taylor in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.