{"id":44159,"date":"2018-07-26T16:12:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T16:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/26\/us-defense-policy-bill-clears-house-rockets-to-senate\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:25:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:25:19","slug":"us-defense-policy-bill-clears-house-rockets-to-senate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2018\/07\/26\/us-defense-policy-bill-clears-house-rockets-to-senate\/","title":{"rendered":"US defense policy bill clears House, rockets to Senate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senate lawmakers are expected to finalize Congress\u2019 annual defense authorization bill<\/a> early next week following the House\u2019s passage of the measure Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The House easily adopted the compromise draft of the annual military policy bill by a vote of 359-54. The $716 billion, 1,800-page legislation includes a 2.6 percent pay raise for troops next January, a boost in military end strength of 15,600 service members, more aircraft and ships than the Pentagon requested and an overhaul of the military\u2019s officer promotion system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the geopolitical side, the bill delays delivery of the F-35 joint strike fighters to Turkey<\/a>, amid the country\u2019s authoritarian drift. It also bars Chinese telecom firms ZTE and Hauwei<\/a> and companies it does business with from doing business with the U.S. government and \u2014 with China in mind \u2014 strengthens scrutiny of deals between foreign investors and U.S.-based businesses for national security concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, predicted House passage of the measure and said he anticipates it coming to the Senate floor for final congressional approval next Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that happens, it will mark a significant legislative victory for defense lawmakers, who typically labor through the conference process of the massive policy bill for most of the fall before final adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defense authorization bill is one of the few remaining reliable, bipartisan efforts in an increasingly polarized Congress. It has been adopted by lawmakers for 57 consecutive years, but the last time it was passed by Congress before the start of the new fiscal year was 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the measure could be signed into law as early as the first full week of August. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, earlier this week noted if that is the case, it will be quickest the military authorization process has finished in 41 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis bill continues to make readiness a key focus for if we send our men and women out on missions, they deserve to have the best equipment, the best training, and the best support that this country can provide,\u201d Thornberry said on the House floor before the vote, adding the bill better prepares the nation to counter Russia and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legislative victory allows House members to head home for their summer break with at least one major portion of their routine congressional work complete, giving them a talking point in town halls and community speeches leading up to November\u2019s mid-term elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defense budget measure authorizes a base defense budget of $639 billion and $69 billion more for overseas contingency operations. The totals match previously agreed upon spending plans for fiscal 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spending authority includes $40.8 billion to \u201covercome the crisis in military aviation\u201d by purchasing more equipment, $17.7 billion to rehabilitate worn out Army equipment, and $23.5 billion to upgrade and repair \u201ccrumbling military buildings and other infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t