Texas defense hawks urge Congress away from military funding cuts to raise the debt ceiling

The U.S. Capitol on a cloudy evening in Washington D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

WASHINGTON — As U.S. House Republicans debate what to cut out of federal spending in their debt ceiling fight with Democrats, a handful of Texans have a clear message: Do not mess with the military.

Republicans in the majority are using the debt ceiling as a negotiating tool with the Biden administration to reduce federal spending, but they are divided over where to trim the fat. Some, including Texans who have long defended military spending, are asserting Congress shouldn’t touch defense funding, while others say all funding other than entitlements should be on the table. It’s an uncertainty that Republicans can hardly afford with only a six-vote margin of control in the House.