House panel recommends slight cut to DARPA funding

House appropriators are proposing trimming the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's fiscal year 2022 budget in a draft mark of their defense spending legislation.

The draft bill, released today by the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, recommends $3.48 billion for DARPA research programs. The agency requested $3.53 billion in FY-22, a small increase from the $3.5 billion enacted in FY-21.

Meanwhile, the Senate earlier this month approved the $250 billion United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, which included an amendment doubling annual funding for DARPA starting next fiscal year.

The amendment, introduced by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), includes a $3.5 billion boost from FY-22 to FY-26 for DARPA to conduct research and development in key technology areas, bringing funding for the agency to $7 billion.