Brown predicts defense authorization bill passage after August recess

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said today he believes the fiscal year 2022 defense authorization bill will likely not pass the full House until after the scheduled August recess.

Lawmakers say the bill is being delayed because the Biden administration has not yet submitted an FY-22 budget. Congressional staffers expect it to be submitted on or about May 24.

Brown, who spoke during an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he believes the defense authorization bill will make its way out of the committee in late June or early July, with passage “after the August recess.”

The Senate Armed Services Committee has said it will not begin work on its version of the defense authorization bill until July.

Brown said the House defense appropriations bill will also likely be delayed past the beginning of FY-22 on Oct. 1, meaning Congress will need to pass a stopgap continuing resolution.

“I hope it’s a lot closer to Oct. 1 than Jan. 1,” he said.