Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 11 June 2025

"Hegseth spars with senators over defense budget, LA in tense hearing," Defense News

In a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from senators regarding the Pentagon's late budget request and the administration's military actions. The discussion highlighted concerns over US support for Ukraine and the legal implications of deploying active-duty troops to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests against immigration policies. As tensions rose, senators from both parties expressed frustration with Hegseth's responses, indicating potential challenges ahead for the 2026 defense budget.

• Hegseth's budget request is officially the latest submission of the modern era, raising concerns among senators about its impact on defense spending.
• The Pentagon's deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles has sparked legal questions, with California's governor suing for their removal.
• Senators from both parties pressed Hegseth on the administration's support for Ukraine, which has reportedly slowed during the current administration, suggesting a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities.

"VA signs $700K agreement with OPM for assistance with mass layoffs," Government Executive

The VA has entered into a significant agreement with OPM to assist in the implementation of mass layoffs, marking a drastic shift in workforce management. With a budget of $726,000, this agreement comes in response to the unprecedented cuts affecting over 80,000 employees. The department has indicated that it lacks the internal resources to conduct such a large-scale reduction, raising concerns about the strategy and planning behind these layoffs.

• The VA will pay OPM $726,000 for consultation services to ensure legally compliant reductions in force (RIF) procedures.
• The projected cuts may affect over 80,000 employees, creating challenges in effectively managing the layoffs without proper planning and communication.
• Bipartisan pushback has emerged, with lawmakers urging the VA to proceed cautiously and reconsider the set target for workforce reductions.