Summary: The Defense industrial base is always a concern for the Pentagon. It worries both about capacity and whether it has a competitive market. That's why planners keep an eye on mergers and acquisitions aka M-and-A. M-and-A activity is highly sensitive to interest rates. For insight on what to expect now that the federal reserve rate is 5%, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Venable law firm partner Joseph Schmelter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
