The hearing unfolded against the backdrop of an aggressive posture by Trump toward the media in his second term.

The almost 3,100-page bill calls for spending $8 billion more than the $892.6 billion that President Donald Trump requested.

The legislation authorizes $900 billion for the Pentagon, provides a pay raise for troops, and has some measures to reassert congressional oversight.

The National Defense Authorization Act now heads to the desk of President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

Just hours after passing a massive defense bill that included the worrisome provisions about military flights, the Senate approved a bipartisan bill that will require all aircraft use ADS-B technology — or Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast technology — to broadcast their locations.

Brendan Carr, whose office regulates the broadcast TV industry, previously defended the agency’s status as an independent body.

The Pentagon said it was initiating a “command investigation” into the senator, another extraordinary step as the Trump administration seeks retribution against the president’s perceived foes.