Shanahan Memo Restricts Info Pentagon Can Give To Congress, Causing Tension

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan testifies during a House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the ... WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan testifies during a House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of Defense, March 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump has asked for a Pentagon budget of over 700 billion dollars for the 2020 budget. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan sent out a memo earlier this month restricting the information officials at the Pentagon can give congressional members, straining the relationship between the two bodies.

According to the Washington Post, there has been bipartisan anger in reaction to the memo, as both Democrats and Republicans insist that a lack of information prevents them from doing their jobs.

The memo was reportedly spurred by concerns that congressional members cannot be trusted to keep military plans confidential.

Its release comes at a precipitous time for Shanahan, who President Donald Trump just tapped to be permanent defense secretary and who will need Senate confirmation.

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