U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) joined top military commanders in criticizing the Republican budget gimmick that leaves the Pentagon unsure about future funding and takes the country down a fiscally irresponsible path. Despite the warnings, House Republicans today passed a $579 billion defense spending bill -- above the ceiling of $523 billion set by the 2011 Murray Ryan Budget Control Act. The bill also drew criticism because in addition to busting the caps, $88 billion of the total $579 billion represents Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds – unstable funds with limited uses. The bill passed by a vote of 278-149. Read more »