Should Congress authorize $715 billion for the Department of Defense?

National Security and Defense
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (H.R. 4350)
This bill has Passed the House of Representatives
Bill Summary

This bill allows Congress to authorize $715 billion in federal funds to the Department of Defense for the 2022 fiscal year. The goals of the 2022 defense budget include: defeating COVID-19, prioritizing China as the pacing threat, addressing advanced and persistent threats including Russia, Iran, and North Korea, innovating and modernizing, and addressing the climate crisis. Amendments in this bill include expanding Selective Service System registration beyond men and establishing a permanent Unidentified Aerial Phenomena office. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Smith (Democrat, Washington, District 9)
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Opponents say

•     "We don't need to draft women in order for women to have equality in this nation. Women are of worth and of value right now and we are equal with men without having to pass a new law that would require 50 percent of this country — our daughters and our sisters and our wives — to have to be drafted" Source: Rep. Vicky Hartzler (Republican, Missouri, District 4)


•     "Sen. Jack Reed’s deceptively simple language – reportedly to change the MSSA words “male citizens” to “all Americans” – is unnecessary, unwise, and, in our view, outrageous. Imposition of Selective Service obligations, including a possible future draft of our daughters, sisters, and nieces, would not only hurt women, it would compromise our military’s essential function during a time of catastrophic national emergency" Source: Concerned Women for America and the American Principles Project et al.


Proponents say

•     "This year the defense bill focuses on transforming DoD to better deter our adversaries while taking advantage of new, innovative technologies and implementing more cost-effective approach to develop and acquire crucial platforms. The future of our defense depends on our committee’s tough policy discussions about what DoD needs, how to fill these needs, and the necessary tradeoffs to ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge over its adversaries." Source: Rep. Adam Smith (Democrat, Washington, District 9)


•     "This year's NDAA, which we passed out of committee today, addresses the needs of our men and women in uniform and provides our military the tools it needs to modernize and confront the global threats of tomorrow. Whether we're focusing on armaments modernization, SOCOM acquisitions, expansion of our cyber capabilities, the protection of Picatinny Arsenal, the support of our military's workforce, removing sexual assault and harassment cases from the chain of command, or addressing environmental concerns that have long affected our military families, this NDAA will help our military remain the best, most professional fighting force the world has ever seen. Furthermore, it both addresses modernization challenges and provides greater oversight of the Pentagon's requirements and spending to ensure we are using taxpayer dollars wisely in support of our nation's defense." Source: Rep. Mikie Sherrill (Democrat, New Jersey, District 11)


•     "I was pleased to vote for the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, and happy it passed the House Armed Service Committee in a bipartisan manner. It is not perfect, and I look forward to improving this bill on the House Floor and in Conference with the Senate. However, it will improve our national security, begin to hold the Biden administration accountable for Afghanistan, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of economic growth and investment to Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District. We passed a bipartisan amendment I cosponsored with the Ranking Member to increase the Defense topline, providing our troops with the resources they need to execute the missions they’ve been assigned, and correcting President Biden’s inadequate defense budget. This bill solidifies our community’s place as the epicenter of America’s national security space enterprise and puts our country on the right foot to compete with and deter China." Source: Rep. Doug Lamborn (Republican, Colorado, District 5)

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