House Passes NDAA with Pentagon Budget of $840.2 Billion

The House of Representatives passed last week its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 by a vote of 329-101. In its current state, the NDAA would authorize $840.2 billion in national defense spending which includes a $37 billion increase to the top line of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget. The Senate will now consider the legislation.

As part of a series of roll call votes, lawmakers rejected several amendments that would have cut the bill's authorized spending level, and opposed proposals to cut existing weapons programs. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced an amendment to cut $100 billion off the proposed budget, and another that would subtract the nearly $37 billion that the House Armed Services Committee added; the House, however, rejected both amendments.

“For over six decades, the NDAA has served the American people as a legislative foundation for national security policymaking rooted in our democratic values. Today’s successful vote marks another chapter in that history – with considerable gains for those currently serving our country in uniform,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, following the final vote.

Lawmakers proposed 650 floor amendments to the NDAA with several hundred passing in five block amendments. The following are a small handful the House approved:

Amendment 0013: amends the Put Our Neighbors to Work Act to require DOD to give preference for military construction contracts to firms with at least 51 percent of employees living in the same state or within a 60-mile radius, and to require contractors and subcontractors to be licensed where the work is to be performed.

Amendment 0197: establishes a rabies vaccine program for pets of U.S. government employees deployed abroad (including uniformed military and Peace Corps volunteers). The Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will establish the program.

Amendment 0220: prevents positions in the competitive service created after September 30, 2020, from being reclassified to excepted service schedules, and further restricts reclassifications to the five already in use before FY 2021.

Amendment 0312: provides authorization for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the Foreign Service Institute's School of Language Studies to provide best practices and curriculum improvements to prepare government employees to advance U.S. diplomatic and national security interests abroad. Rep. Dean Phillips' (D-MN) amendment passed the House by a voice vote.

Amendment 0318: ensures that federal funds are not used to finance contracts or grants with companies requiring employees to sign predisposed nondisclosure agreements covering sexual harassment or assault as a condition of employment.

Amendment 0322: Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) proposed that all public buildings, including those that house federal agencies and the Capitol, offer free menstrual products in all restrooms.

Amendment 0369: a revised proposal by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) would increase the National Defense Education Program by $5 million to strengthen and expand STEM education opportunities and workforce initiatives tailored to the needs of military students.

Amendment 0592: Rep. Veronica Escobar proposed an amendment requiring Department workforce development programs include internships and fellowships in the recommended changes or expansions aimed at increasing the proportion of minorities in the federal workforce.

Amendment 0784: requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the benefits and feasibility of creating returnship programs for DOD civilians.

Amendment 0894: improves the quality and availability of mental health services for children and infants of military families, the amendment requires the DOD to evaluate local infant and early childhood mental health services located on or near military installations, review best practices, and develop a workforce development curriculum. Rep. Salud Carbajal's (D-CA) amendment passed the House by a voice vote.

Amendment 1043: to assess employee complaints of harassment and discrimination, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) proposed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) create a supplement to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS).

Amendment 1045: because of the ongoing economic impact of inflation, the Secretary of Defense may increase inflation bonus pay above 2.4 percent for servicemembers and civilians earning less than $45,000 a year.

As part of the NDAA, the House repealed the 2002 Iraq War authorization, which authorized the use of military force with congressional approval after 9/11. Furthermore, the District of Columbia mayor would have the same control over the National Guard as governors of states do, whereas the president currently controls the Guard in the city.

Lawmakers also included several non-defense proposals in the bill. Cannabis businesses will be able to access the banking system under legislation introduced by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO). Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) included an amendment to eliminate the federal sentencing disparity between powder and crack cocaine offenses.

“It is the definition of a bipartisan bill,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

As for the other chamber, the Senate Armed Services Committee filed its FY 23 NDAA and the accompanying report and funding tables on Monday.