The amount is greater than the president’s request.
The House of Representatives voted in favor of an $839 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is $37 billion more than the president’s outline. The Senate has not yet passed its version, but its Armed Services Committee has voted to add $45 billion to President Biden’s initial proposal.
The bill allocates $808 billion to the Pentagon, slightly more than $30 billion to the Department of Energy, and around $400 million to other federal agencies. The bill, which garnered bipartisan support, also includes funds for training Ukrainian pilots and protecting the Sentinel ICBM nuclear missile under development which officials had wanted to shelve.
Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, stated, “After months of hard work, negotiations, and vigorous debate, the House has completed our work to pass the FY23 NDAA. The annual defense bill serves as the legislative foundation for national security policymaking. The United States must meet global challenges with humility and in ways that live up to our values—that’s why this year’s bill includes a package of bold reforms to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in military operations.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for senators as they negotiate their defense legislation.
- For Majority Leader Schumer as he brings the defense package to the floor for a vote.
- For the Lord to work through governing officials as they provide funding for national defense.
Sources: Washington Examiner, Roll Call, Air Force Magazine
