Breaking Defense is reporting that the White House plans to use $1.85 billion in reconciliation funding to procure a foreign-made warship for the U.S. Navy. An Office of Management and Budget official told Breaking Defense that the money, originally earmarked to study whether foreign shipbuilders could construct a vessel, is instead intended for the actual purchase of a first ship built in Japan or South Korea. The OMB official stated, "The fact is, no one spends $1.85 billion studying something. That money is there for procurement of assets." Breaking Defense said this move is likely to face opposition from members of Congress, who have recently voiced concerns about buying non-American warships.
