This week, the House is expected to consider the Defense appropriations bill. A full summary of the legislation is included below. A PDF copy is available.
Defense
The FY 2019 Defense Appropriations bill provides $674.6 billion, $20 billion above FY 2018 and $900 million below the request.
* Base: $606.5 billion, $17 billion above FY 2018 enacted and $900 million below the request
* OCO: $68.1 billion, $3 billion above FY 2018 enacted and equal to the request
The bill provides:
* $144 billion for Military Personnel, which is $ 6.3 billion more than the FY2018 enacted level and $1.4 billion below the request.
** This funding level would increase end strength by 15,600 active and 800 Guard/Reserve.
** The bill increases military pay by 2.6%, which was the requested.
* $245.9 billion for Operations and Maintenance, which is $7.3 billion more than the FY2018 enacted level and $2.4 billion below the request.
* $145.7 billion for Procurement, which is $1.5 billion more than the FY2018 enacted level and $2.5 billion above the request
* $92.4 billion for Research and Development, which is $3.2 billion more than the FY2018 enacted level and $35 million above the request.
* $6.5 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative, which is $1.8 billion above the FY 2018 enacted level and the same as the request
* $5.2 billion for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, which is equal $532 million above the FY 2018 enacted level and equal to the request
* $1.4 billion for Counter-ISIL Train and Equip, which is $369 million below the 2018 enacted level, but equal to the request.
* $1.3 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account for reserve component equipping needs, which is the same as the FY 2018 enacted level and $1.3 billion above the request.
* $770 million for an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Fund for combatant Commands and military services to use for ISR requirements which is the same as the FY 2018 level and $770 million above the request.
* $40 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Serving Institutions Basic Research Programs, $10 million above the request and equal to the FY 2018 enacted level.
* $34.4 billion for Defense Health requirements - $381 million below the FY 2018 enacted level and $317 million above the budget request. This includes $752 million for congressionally directed medical research programs;
** $364 million for cancer research,
** $125 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research,
** $130 million for breast cancer research (same as the FY 2018 enacted level); and
** $100 million for prostate cancer (same as the FY 2018 enacted level).
** $45 million for the Joint Warfighter Medical Research program for battlefield medical needs
* $500 million for the Israeli Missile Defense Cooperative program, which is equal to the request, and $200 million below the enacted level, conforming to the MOU between the United States and Israel. The bill also includes $47.5 million for the U.S. Israeli Joint Anti-Tunneling Research Technology Initiative which is equal to the FY 2018 enacted level and $47.5 million above the request.
* $250 million for the Rapid Innovation Fund to incorporate small business developments into DoD programs, which is the same as the FY2018 enacted level and $250 million above the request
* $270 million for facilities maintenance of Department of Defense schools, which is $35 million above the FY 2018 enacted level and $270 million above the request
* $35 million for continued implementation and expansion of the Sexual Assault Special Victim’s Counsel Program which is equal to the FY 2018 enacted level and $8.8 million above the request
* $250 million in OCO for Ukraine, which is $50 million more than the FY 2018 enacted level and $50 million above the request
Outcome of policy issues:
* Includes language that would provide death gratuities for troops in case of a government shutdown.
* Includes language that will limit the Department of Defense’s ability to expend funds for cloud computing activities until 90 after the Department provides a comprehensive strategy for cloud computing across the Department and a plan to provide more transparency on funding.
* Prohibits the use of funds in Syria and Iraq in contravention of the War Powers Resolution.
* Prohibits funding to propose, plan for, or execute a new BRAC round.
* Prohibits funding to transfer or release Guantanamo Bay detainees to the U.S.; for construction, acquisition, or modifying facilities in the U.S. to house detainees; for transfer of detainees except in accordance with National Defense Authorization Act; or to close or transfer Guantanamo Bay from DoD’s jurisdiction.
* Includes language which limits assistance to Afghan Security Forces who have committed gross violations of human rights.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
