Congress Moves Forward With Defense Policy Bill

It includes assistance for Taiwan, weapons supply chain boosts, and a ban on Chinese semiconductor chips.

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Members of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire a Javelin missile from a Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle during training exercise in Fort Carson, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Facing an ongoing war in Ukraine and increasingly aggressive behavior by China, members of Congress are substantially boosting funding for the military. The annual defense authorization package the House passed this week exceeds the Biden administration’s budget request by $45 billion. 

The $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an 8 percent boost in funding levels over fiscal year 2022. While the bill authorizes the money and how to spend it, lawmakers have to follow it up with separate spending legislation.

The House approved a compromise version with an overwhelming vote of 350-80, teeing it up for Senate consideration.

Below are a few highlights of the legislation. (If you want some light weekend reading, the 4,400-page bill text is available here.)

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  1. Avatar photo
    Dfmitchell

    A 4.6% pay hike for already underpaid members of the military will certainly decrease retention. Reversing the Vax mandate is stupid political pandering. Unvaccinated members of the military are virtually undeployable. Congress has just increased the burden on underpaid military families who follow the chain of command.

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    Kbroot

    I wish I could just “like” this excellent report, my comments add nothing.

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  3. Israel.D.Gale

    Thanks for this, Haley. What are the politics of this? Will it be an easy sell in the Senate, or is opposition expected? Will the President sign it?

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    Anne W (Raw5254)

    This gives me some hope.

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    1. Ngongldy

      And thanks for the clarity.

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    J. Eric

    Once again, an excellent report. Thank you

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    1. Khayreeduckett

      Hear hear. I read nearly every piece of yours, Haley, and appreciate the variety and depth you bring to each informative piece.

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    JackiF.

    So will those who continually promote the false narrative that strong national defense and strengthening our military is ONLY part of a Republican priority, recognize that this bill is happening under the current Democratic administration and that it is actually (miraculously) bipartisan legislation?

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    Bean

    Perhaps more important than the multi-year procurement deal is the increase in missile procurement. I checked several, and all were at least double the planned production in the budget request submitted to Congress. Modern warfare runs through munitions very quickly (look at estimates of Russia's cruise missile stocks), and I've long believed that building up our munitions stockpile is one of the most important things we can do. Glad to see Congress agreeing.

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  8. Daneckhart

    Sec. 214: Modification of limitation on cancellation of designation of Executive Agent for a certain Defense Production Act program.

    Maybe 5 prepositions are too many…

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      Adam Trainer

      Thanks!

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    Earl King

    Big help to Taiwan defense.

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  10. Avatar photo
    Jerrymasters7vwp

    Ms. Wilt,
    Is the phenomenon of legislators increasing defense budget proposals so routine that budget analysts likely under-budget? Can you discuss sometime?
    Thank you,
    Jerry Masters

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