US military budget has increased to a new record level
2022.12.08 14:33
US military budget has increased to a new record level
Budrigannews.com – On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that will allow the defense budget to reach a record $858 billion next year—$45 billion more than President Joe Biden had proposed.
The compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which is an annual bill that must be passed to set policy for the Pentagon, was passed by the House 350-80, far exceeding the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill and send it to the Senate for a vote.
The NDAA for fiscal 2023 authorizes $858 billion in military spending, which includes funds for the acquisition of weapons, ships, and aircraft, a 4.6 percent pay raise for troops, and as well as support for Taiwan in its fight against China’s aggression and for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
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In a speech pleading for the measure’s approval, Democratic House Armed Services Committee chairman Representative Adam Smith said, “This bill is Congress exercising its authority to authorize and do oversight.”
Members of Congress use the NDAA as a vehicle for a variety of initiatives, some unrelated to defense, as it is one of the few major bills passed annually.
After months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, the bill for this year needed a two-thirds vote in the House because some House members disagreed about whether it should include a voting rights amendment.
A provision requiring the Secretary of Defense to revoke a mandate mandating the vaccination of members of the armed forces against COVID-19 is included in the fiscal 2023 NDAA, a demand made by many Republicans.
It includes a variety of provisions to strengthen Taiwan amid tensions with China and provides Ukraine with at least $800 million in additional security assistance the following year.
The bill gives more money to make new weapons and buy systems, like Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:). General Dynamics (NYSE:)’s F-35 fighter jets and ships.
The NDAA is expected to be approved by the Senate next week, and President Joe Biden must sign it into law at the White House.
The NDAA is not, however, the final word on spending. Programs are created by authorization bills, but Congress needs to pass appropriations bills to give the government legal authority to spend money from the federal government.
An appropriations bill for the upcoming year has not yet been agreed upon by congressional leaders.
