House authorizers approve FY-18 defense policy bill

The House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the fiscal year 2018 defense authorization bill last night by a 60-1 vote. 

The bill garnered the support of nearly all the committee's Democrats, including ranking member Adam Smith (D-WA). Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) was the lone "no" vote. 

Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) called the bill a "key decision point" toward a lasting increase in defense spending, despite the continued existence of the caps mandated by the 2011 Budget Control Act. 

"For six years, we have been just getting by - cutting resources as the world becomes more dangerous, asking more and more of those who serve, and putting off the tough choices," he said in a statement. "Tonight, we begin charting a new course toward readiness recovery, and we do so with overwhelming support from Republicans and Democrats alike."