Progressives demand defense budget cuts amid coronavirus pandemic

Nearly 30 Democrats are demanding that leaders of the House Armed Services Committee cut the defense budget amid the coronavirus pandemic.In a letter to committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and ranking member Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the Democrats, most of whom are in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, urged panel’s top lawmakers to authorize a smaller defense budget in this year’s policy bill compared to last year’s.”These are…