The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) go before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday to assess the national security implications of the budget cuts known as sequestration, scheduled to go into effect on March 1.
Some Committee lawmakers have said they hope the testimony will help build momentum for the House, Senate and White House to agree on a compromise.They worry that any reductions in training and equipment could start affecting troops in Afghanistan as early as next year.
Though according to reports, Republicans "are unwilling to sign onto a plan in which 50 percent of the savings would come from tax increases. While concerned about the impact on defense, ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) said the military’s worries are “not desperate enough to raise taxes” when there are other options."
The Joint Chiefs, along with top defense officials and the National Guard Bureau chief, testify at the hearing.