The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019, as approved in conference and passed by the House on July 26, will continue the progress begun in fiscal year 2018 in rebuilding the capacity, capabilities, and readiness of the U.S. military services.
In so doing, it will enable them to regain their competitive advantage over potential adversaries, and it will support the National Defense Strategy.
In a previous article, we discussed the new policy changes. We now focus on elements of military hardware and equipment.
The bill authorizes a base budget of $639 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, matching the amounts allocated in the Bipartisan Budget Act, which became law in February.
In addition, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $69 billion for overseas contingency operations. This marks another significant increase in defense budget authorization for the second consecutive year.
With the possible return to Budget Control Act spending limits in fiscal year 2020, this increase in the 2019 authorized defense budget becomes even more critical for the nation’s military.
Some key programs addressed include:
- Modernizing the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
It supports the recent Nuclear Posture Review by authorizing $65 million to develop a low-yield, submarine-launched ballistic missile, as well as $110 million above the administration’s request to revitalize the National Nuclear Security Administration’s aging infrastructure.
- Multiyear procurements and block buys.
Recognizing the programmatic cost savings, stability effects on the defense industry, and other advantages, Congress authorized the expanded use of multiyear procurements and block buys for numerous ship, aircraft, and weapons systems.
Read the full story from The Daily Signal
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