US military chief tours arms plants with GOP lawmakers to show that Ukraine aid boosts jobs at home

By TARA COPP and LISA MASCARO
Associated Press

CAMDEN, Ark. (AP) — Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown is visiting U.S. weapon factories in Oklahoma and Arkansas to address concerns over billions of dollars being sent to Ukraine and other allies when there are so many needs at home. The Pentagon has framed the $95 billion aid package hanging in the balance on Capitol Hill as vital to Ukraine’s survival in the war against Russia and critical to the U.S. economy. Brown on Thursday is visiting Lockheed Martin’s Camden, Arkansas, weapons facility and the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma. Brown will be with lawmakers who represent those factory workforces. Some lawmakers express optimism the Ukraine supplemental bill will find a way to passage.