Senate expected to vote Monday on defense policy bill

The Senate voted 84-9 today to cease debate on its version of the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization bill and is expected to vote on final passage Monday.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) said the bill is the result of months of bipartisan effort.

"While there are many important aspects to this legislation, at its core, this is a bill that will provide our armed forces the resources, equipment, and support they need to do their jobs, fulfill their missions, and keep our nation safe," he said in a statement.

McCain also lamented the fact he had to support limiting debate on the bill, for which lawmakers had proposed more than 500 amendments, including one from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) to eliminate sequestration.

"While I had hoped to debate and vote on a number of other amendments from senators of both parties, especially the proposal to end sequestration, I am proud that we continued the strong tradition of moving the [National Defense Authorization Act] through the Senate in a bipartisan fashion and look forward to its final passage on Monday," he said.

Instead, McCain worked with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the committee's ranking member to incorporate more than 100 amendments.

"Between now and final passage, it is my hope that we can agree on another package of amendments to strengthen this legislation even further," he said.

Meanwhile, the White House opposes many measures in the bill related to weapon systems and cyber policy, but has not threatened a veto.

Additionally, both the Senate defense authorization bill and one passed by the House authorize defense spending levels above the caps mandated by the 2011 Budget Control Act.

Though the House today passed an omnibus spending bill that would provide $621.5 billion in DOD base funding, that bill is also in violation of the BCA and unlikely to become law. Senate appropriators have yet to mark up their version of the FY-18 defense spending bill, making it likely Congress will ultimately have to decide a funding level for DOD in December when lawmakers must agree to a spending deal to avert a government shutdown.