Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2021 Defense bill on a vote of 30 to 22. The legislation funds the Department of Defense, including operations and maintenance, readiness activities, research and development, equipment modernization, and health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families.

For fiscal year 2021, the bill provides $694.6 billion in new discretionary spending authority for the Department of Defense for functions under the Defense Subcommittee’s jurisdiction, an increase of $1.3 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level, and $3.7 billion below the President’s budget request. This includes $626.2 billion in base funding, an increase of $3.5 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level, and $3.5 billion below the President’s request. It also includes $68.4 billion for OCO/GWOT funding in title IX, a decrease of $2.2 billion below the FY 2020 enacted level, and $200 million below the President’s request.

“This legislation recognizes the complex challenges the members of our Armed Forces and intelligence community face every day throughout the world, and it aims to ensure that they are able to continue to meet these challenges and complete their missions to the best of their abilities.  To support this forward-looking posture, the bill makes major investments in operations and maintenance, procurement, and research and development,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chairman Pete Visclosky. “Most important to me personally is that this bill continues the Committee’s focus on the well-being and morale of those in uniform, their families, DoD civilians, and defense communities.”

“This bill provides the Defense Department with the appropriate level of resources to address an evolving threat landscape and to ensure the security of our nation and our allies. It ensures that our servicemembers are well-trained and equipped and that they are prepared for future military needs,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “We have the most capable and advanced military in the world, and this bill honors their mission by adequately funding programs to care for servicemembers and their families, and by including provisions to end the Trump administration’s theft of defense funds to pay for a wasteful border wall.”

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. Visclosky – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Rep. Lee #1 – The amendment repeals the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force after 240 days after the enactment of this Act. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 30 to 22.

Rep. Lee #2 – The amendment repeals the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Rep. Lee #3 – The amendment prohibits funds in the Act for any use of military force in or against Iran, with certain exceptions. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 30 to 22.

A summary of the bill is here. The full text of the bill, prior to adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report is here.

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