{"id":40071,"date":"2020-09-09T16:17:24","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T16:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/09\/09\/no-defense-authorization-bill-before-election-says-thornberry\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:05:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:05:52","slug":"no-defense-authorization-bill-before-election-says-thornberry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/congress\/2020\/09\/09\/no-defense-authorization-bill-before-election-says-thornberry\/","title":{"rendered":"Defense authorization bill delayed until after election"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 A bipartisan compromise and vote on the 2021 defense policy bill isn\u2019t likely before the Nov. 3 elections, but it should come \u201cquickly\u201d thereafter, the House Armed Services Committee\u2019s top Republican said Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vote would delay a decision from Congress about whether the Defense Department to rename military bases honoring Confederate leaders<\/a>. It\u2019s defining issue<\/a> for the $740.5 billion defense authorization bill, which includes must-pass provisions like military pay hikes, defense equipment purchase plans and strategic posturing of forces in coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are more negotiations that have to occur, and part of that negotiation is talking with the White House about the shape of that provision,\u201d Rep. Mac Thornberry, of Texas, said at the Defense News Conference. \u201cIs there a way to get everybody to \u2018good?\u2019 Of course there is. Is it likely to happen before the election? No, it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to back language requiring the changes, though the House requires the names changed within one year and the Senate bill requires them within three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\t