|
Senate Passes NDAA
By a vote of 86-11, the Senate passed an amended version of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill provides $886 billion for national defense programs in FY24. An SCA Summary of the bill can be found HERE.
The Senate version of the bill seeks to boost US might in the Pacific to counter China’s influence with weaponry, presence, and alliance. It also carries a whole host of provisions, including the authorization of the State Department, a ban on US sales to China from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and tighter scrutiny of US investments in China.
The measure will now head to conference where the upper chamber will have to wrestle over some politically tough provisions after the House ignited culture wars with its legislation earlier this month, including a ban on the Pentagon’s policy to give travel allowances and time off to service members who seek an abortion or other reproductive help.
Senate Appropriators Advance Defense, Homeland Security Spending Bills
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced four government-funding bills yesterday, including for Defense and Homeland Security, setting the stage for September floor votes on measures to raise funding levels. Senators voted 27-1 on the Defense appropriations bill and 24-4 on Homeland Security.
Defense
The Senate spending bill for defense includes $33.3 billion to build new ships. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Navy to enter into a multi-year procurement contract for 10 SSN VIRGINIA class submarines, fully funds the Navy’s new Virginia Class Material strategy, and provides $470 million in procurement for Virginia Class submarine spares and repair parts to support submarine maintenance availabilities and reduce delays.
The bill provides $2.1 billion more to upgrade degrading military facilities, including $130 million to make seismic repairs at Navy shipyards, $50 million for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, and $1.7 billion for facility sustainment and modernization activities across the services.
A committee summary of the bill is available HERE. Bill text, as amended is available HERE and the bill report can be found HERE.
An SCA Summary can be found HERE.
DHS/U.S. Coast Guard
The Senate spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the U.S. Coast Guard, cut almost $300 million from the FY24 Budget Request for procurement, construction and improvements. The bill provides for $895 million in vessel funding including $579 million for the Offshore Patrol Cutter, $125 million to procure a commercially-available icebreaker and $55 million to procure a new Great Lakes Icebreaker.
A committee summary of the bill is available HERE. Bill text, as amended is available HERE and the bill report can be found HERE.
An SCA Summary can be found HERE.
|