Congress has named all 12 members of the joint committee charged with coming up with $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. The 12-member committee, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, has until Thanksgiving to reach a compromise and present it to the full Congress, which then has to vote by Christmas with either a yes or no—amendments are prohibited from being tacked on to the committee’s proposed legislation. If the vote doesn’t take place, a trigger provision kicks in automatically slashing the Pentagon’s budget. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named the final three members Aug. 11. They are: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.). The other Democrats are: Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who will co-chair the committee. Republicans are: Co-chair Rep. Dave Camp (Mich.), Rep. Fred Upton (Mich.), Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), and Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.). (Pelosi release) (Politico report)
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”