Topic: Budget Control Act

The Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI), a neoconservative think tank featuring Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan, released a document labeling the United States the "indispensable nation." President Barack Obama recently adopted this specific terminology during a meeting at the Pentagon with Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey. The FPI executive summary explicitly calls for the repeal of defense cuts under the 2011 Budget Control Act to maintain global military leadership.

The Budget Control Act framework, led by Senator Susan Collins, funded the government for three months and raised the debt ceiling through February 7th. Senator John McCain described the shutdown as a "shameful chapter" for the Senate, while Senator Ted Cruz maintained his opposition to the final vote. The hosts predict that the same political crisis will repeat in early 2014.