WASHINGTON — In his first formal address to Congress Tuesday night, President Trump will promise to rebuild the military and keep America safe from foreign adversaries.
Spicer said Monday that in his remarks the president will push Congress to work with him on his “bold agenda,” but the budget proposal was already met with skepticism from both political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Democrats have called the military build-up too aggressive and destructive to other critical agencies, like the State Department\u2019s diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, both Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, have called the proposed $603 billion base defense budget too low for military needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
White House officials have not publicly discussed any plans on the ISIS strategy, or on military commanders\u2019 requests for more troops for the ongoing fight in Afghanistan. They\u2019ve also scrambled again in recent days to defend the January military mission in Yemen which claimed the lives of a Navy SEAL and several civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those topics appear unlikely to be included in the speech, although Trump\u2019s penchant for speaking off-script means even his speechwriters could be in for surprises during the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The president\u2019s speech begins at 9 p.m. Eastern time. Follow @LeoShane<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n