Senate committee takes up defense policy bill as lawmakers struggle with debt ceiling caps in McCarthy-Biden law
Jamie McIntyre
IT’S SASC’S TURN: The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to finish its markup of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in a closed session this morning. The committee has been deliberating in secret since Wednesday.
A background briefing for reporters has been scheduled for 11 a.m.
In contrast, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the annual must-pass legislation Wednesday night after a marathon open session, marked at times by rancorous debate over culture issues, including a fight over the Pentagon’s DEI programs.
“I am not supportive of everything in this bill,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the ranking Democrat on the committee, but he applauded the “spirit of compromise” evidenced in the 58-1 final vote. “We have sent a clear, bipartisan message to our allies and partners, global competitors, and the American people: democracy still works and Congress is still able to come together in the spirit of bipartisanship and our shared respect for our armed forces and providing for our national security and national defense.”
excerpt:
WHAT THE NDAA BUYS: According to a summary of the House Armed Services NDAA prepared by committee Democrats, the bill authorizes a wide variety of new planes, ships, and armored vehicles, including:
$32.8 billion in shipbuilding funding for the procurement of ten battle force ships, including two Virginia-class submarines; one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine; two Arleigh Burke destroyers; two guided missile frigates, and one amphibious transport dock ship
Authorization of the B-21 Raider program.
Procurement of 48 F-35A, 16 F-35B, and 19 F-35C joint strike fighter jets, plus two additional P-8 aircraft
Procurement of 42 AH-64E, 24 H-60M, 10 CH-47F helicopters (4 above the budget request), and 15 CH-53K helicopters
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/senate-committee-takes-up-defense-policy-bill-as-lawmakers-struggle-with-debt-ceiling-caps-in-mccarthy-biden-law
