Stars and Stripes, the editorially independent news organization that serves the men and women of the U.S. military, is fighting for its own survival. A Department of Defense push to zero out the news organization's $15.5 million budget gained steam when the Senate passed its next budget for the Pentagon and included no money for the longtime military watchdog...

...Newsy has learned bipartisan support to save Stars and Stripes is growing, including in the Senate.

"I'll work very hard to make sure that the spending does continue," said Republican Sen. John Boozman, the senior senator from Arkansas. 

Boozman's father served more than 20 years in the Air Force, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Boozman said the loss of reporting from Stars and Stripes would ultimately harm the welfare of our troops.

"They talk about housing in the military, all of these things that simply aren't going to be covered any place else," he said. 

Boozman said Congress has two ways it can act to restore the news organization's funding.  

He said members of the House and Senate are already meeting in conference to resolve differences between the two versions of the Pentagon's budget. 

"I will be working very hard to make sure that the House language stays in," he said. 

Boozman also said the Senate Defense Appropriations subcommittee, which he is a member of, still has time to step in before authorizing funding for the DOD's next fiscal year.  Boozman said he has support from other Republican Senators, who are the majority party in the Senate.

"I'm not alone by any sense," he said. "I think we're actually in good shape working towards getting it in the Senate appropriations package."

Full story (w/video): https://www.newsy.com/stories/military-watchdog-stars-and-stripes-fighting-for-survival/