The Senate on Monday kicked off debate of the 2017 defense authorization bill, beginning an amendment process that could have wide-reaching implications for the defense industry.More than 300 amendments have been filed on topics ranging from military bands to the Pentagon’s prototyping programs. Of most interest to the defense industrial base is Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain's (R-Ariz.) amendment, which would append about $18 billion in wartime funding to beef up procurement, operations and maintenance and force strength.The amendment…
