Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) called out Pentagon leaders during a defense budget request hearing on April 7 for ongoing failures to produce declassified versions of the reports used to compile and assess the budget. “I think having this hearing without any detailed information about the budget and when we are unable to openly discuss any of the administration’s strategy documents, directly undermines the committee’s ability to conduct its oversight work, and it is contrary to the spirit of transparent government that these public hearings are intended to support,” Fischer said. Fischer said that she was concerned Congress did not have the necessary information about how the Defense Department was constructing its budget. She further expressed concern that the Pentagon’s lack of transparency could result in Americans not being fully aware of threats to national security. “We’re here today to review the department’s budget, but we have no detailed budget justification …