\u201cIt took four straight weeks of intense legislative work, but we finally got rid of Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this week\u2019s Defense Nerds Podcast, Military Times Deputy Editor Leo Shane and Defense News Capitol Hill Bureau Chief Joe Gould say goodbye to Congress for the summer, and recap the work they got done before leaving town for their August recess: finalizing the new budget deal<\/a>, advancing the national defense authorization act process, and confirming a host of new Pentagon appointees<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One confirmation they didn\u2019t complete was that of Gen. John Hyten<\/a>, the pick to be the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Hyten, who has been accused of sexual assault by a former aide, had his confirmation hearing last week and was advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee, but the full chamber won\u2019t vote on him until this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the hosts get you ready for National Presidential Joke Day (or as ready as they can for a ridiculous non-holiday).<\/p>\n\n\n\n