House Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Bill

The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill. The legislation funds critical national security needs, including military operations and readiness programs, as well as health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families.

The legislation meets the overall defense spending limits set by law for fiscal year 2017, providing $517.1 billion in discretionary funding – an increase of $3 billion above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $587 million below the President’s budget request. The bill also provides $58.6 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) funding – the level allowed under current law. Following the lead of the House Armed Services Committee-approved National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the legislation targets approximately $16 billion of this OCO/GWOT funding to meet needs within the base Pentagon budget.

“This funding is directed to programs that ensure our troops are trained, equipped and ready to respond to threats all over the world – preserving our freedom, democracy and way of life. This the paramount responsibility of Congress, and I believe this bill lives up to that responsibility in a meaningful and responsible way,” Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said.

“In an increasingly dangerous and rapidly changing world, we must guarantee that our military and intelligence community have the capability to defeat barbaric Islamic terror groups and deter aggressor-nations, like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea,” said Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen. “This bill recognizes the critical need for increased funding for more training, readiness and equipment and provides for military families. And our heightened oversight ensures that every dollar counts.”

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full committee today:

Rep. Frelinghuysen – The manager’s amendment makes technical and non-controversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

Rep. Lee – The amendment adds bill language stating that "Congress has a constitutional duty to debate and determine whether or not to authorize the use of military force against ISIL." The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

The bill was approved by the Committee on a voice vote.

For a bill summary, please visit: /news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394520

For the text of the bill, please visit: /UploadedFiles/BILLS-114HR-SC-AP-FY2017-Defense-SubcommitteeDraft.pdf

For the bill report, please visit: /uploadedfiles/hrpt-114-hr-fy2017-defense.pdf

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