
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters Wednesday he is pleased with the $738 billion fiscal year 2020 Pentagon topline included as part of a proposed two-year budget deal. Esper, in his first remarks to reporters following his Senate confirmation, said he had “no complaints” about the potential spending level, despite it coming at $13 billion below the White House’s original budget request. The White House and Democratic lawmakers reached a proposed agreement this week on a $1.4 trillion…