A potential Republican takeover of the US House next year is raising jitters over defense priorities, despite the party’s traditional hawkishness and projections of greater national security spending.

The defense budget will likely be caught in protracted battles over raising the nation’s debt limit and cutting discretionary spending if the GOP wins the House and the Senate stays in Democratic hands or has a very small Republican lead, defense market analysts say.

That uncertainty may impede both national security and defense business planning. Delayed budgets, stopgap spending, and long negotiations can affect everything including sending weapons to Ukraine and replenishing US stocks, and new programs for hypersonic weapons, satellites, and drones.

Key House Republicans are already signaling they want to use next year’s debt-limit deadline to extract concessions from Democrats. The Republican position — which members are still formulating — could set the stage for an explosive standoff next year, reminiscent of the 2011 negotiations when the Tea Party wave of Republicans took on former President Barack Obama’s administration over spending.

More on 2022 Election

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Sasse Closer to Leaving Congress

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Nebraska’s governor would appoint Sasse’s Senate replacement, who would face voters in 2024. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) said last month he won’t appoint himself to the job but may pursue it after he steps down due to term limits next year. University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen (R) in an emailed statement said he was “focused on” winning the governorship next month and dismissed talk of an appointment as “speculation,” Zach C. Cohen reports.

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• The intruder was in his own words on a “suicide mission,” according to law enforcement authorities — not just going after Pelosi, but to go after other politicians and their relatives. Read more.

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Around the Administration

PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE

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• At 2:40 p.m., Biden will give a speech at the White House on strengthening the infrastructure talent pipeline following the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act.
• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will give a briefing at 1:15 p.m.

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With assistance from Zach C. Cohen

To contact the reporter on this story: Michaela Ross in Washington at mross@bgov.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Katrice Eborn at keborn@bgov.com