Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) specifies the budget and expenditures of the US Department of Defense. House and Senate staff from the Armed Services committees will be working during the recess to draft a compromise proposal in case the Senate is unable to pass a version of the bill:
- NDAA in the Senate (S 2410): The Senate Armed Services Committee version of the FY15 NDAA provides $514 billion for national defense, including $496 billion for the Dept. of Defense base budget and $17.7 billion for national security programs. Specifically prohibits the US Air Force from retiring A-10 airplanes for one year. Would improve the prospects of competition for military space launch and help move the Pentagon away from using taxpayer dollars to purchase rocket engines from Russia. Also would eliminate wasteful spending in Defense Department IT systems.” (Source: Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
- NDAA in the House (HR 4435): Meanwhile, the House passed its version, the Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act, in May. Their proposal authorizes $521.3 billion in spending for national defense and an additional $79.4 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), primarily in Afghanistan. This is consistent with the President’s budget request.