House Armed Services Committee passes defense policy bill

The House Armed Services Committee has voted 57-1 to pass its version of the fiscal year 2023 defense authorization bill.

Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA), who adjourned the committee’s mark up around 2:15 a.m., released a statement praising the bill’s bipartisan support. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was the only dissenting vote.

“This year’s defense bill builds on the committee’s six-decade-long tradition of investing in the people, programs, and technologies that strengthen our common defense,” Smith said. “At a time when democracies around the world face enormous challenges and unprecedented threats, we have sent a powerful, bipartisan message to our allies and partners, global competitors, and the American people: democracy still works -- and it can deliver real results.”

Smith highlighted some elements of the bill, though the final product ended up being $37 billion larger than he would have preferred.

“The bill supports the largest service member pay raise in decades, expands the talent pipeline, and partners with research institutions to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies that will support those in uniform,” he said. “I am particularly proud that this year’s [bill] includes a package of bold reforms that will help mitigate and prevent civilian harm in the course of military operations.”

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), the committee’s ranking member, released a statement applauding the bill.

“This is the first step in the process -- the House and Congress have a number of issues to address as we move forward,” he said. “The committee was able to blunt the impacts of inflation on the military, accelerated the recapitalization of our nuclear triad, and invest in capabilities and platforms to deter and, if necessary, defeat China and other enemies. I will continue to push for these efforts and to remove extraneous provisions as we move the [bill] through the legislative process.”