House debates defense spending bill

By Tony Bertuca / June 26, 2018 at 12:29 PM

The House has begun debating the fiscal year 2019 defense appropriations bill.

The bill cleared the House Rules Committee on Monday night and 24 amendments were approved for consideration on the floor. The committee will meet again today to consider additional amendments.

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee approved its version of the bill today and the full committee is expected to vote Thursday.

Both bills would provide the Pentagon with funding that adheres to a bipartisan budget agreement passed earlier this year.

House Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) told reporters she expects the bill to pass with strong support.

"We had 6,600 requests from members about what they saw in their districts and overall what the needs were, and we tried to meet those needs in every way possible," she said. "They're very aware of what's necessary, and the votes are there. We expect to have a good, strong support in this, looking at job base as well as military strength."

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