Senate Armed Services Committee releases defense bill

The Senate Armed Services Committee has released its version of the fiscal year 2024 defense authorization bill, which the panel approved last month in a 24-1 vote.

The bill, which if passed would authorize $886 billion in total national defense spending, is anticipated to reach the Senate floor in the coming weeks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said yesterday that he hopes the bill can be passed this month.

Previously, the committee had only released an executive summary of what the bill contained. Today, the panel has released the full text, plus funding tables and accompanying report.

The bill, among a host of other things, expresses support for additional defense funding in FY-24 beyond the authorized topline. Some Senate appropriators have called for an emergency defense supplemental.

Meanwhile, the House is preparing to vote on its version of the bill this week.