The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) released an $847 billion defense policy bill last week, filed by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

In a press release statement, Inhofe emphasized the importance of the bill’s approval in the present day.

“With the Chinese Communist Party accelerating the already historic modernization of its military, Russia continuing to destabilize security in Europe, and record-high inflation jeopardizing our buying power, Congress must do everything we can to give our military every advantage on the battlefield,” Inhofe said.

The legislation will authorize $817.15 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $29.71 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). It also includes a $13.8 billion increase in procurement funds over the Pentagon’s budget request and up to $7.5 billion additional funds for research, development, test, and evaluation programs.

“I hope the Senate acts with a sense of urgency on the NDAA, and I hope we’ll consider it in an open process so we can continue to improve the most important bill we’ll do all year,” the Ranking Member Senator added.

Reed also commented, “with broad, bipartisan support, this year’s NDAA increases funding for our national defense, invests in the platforms and infrastructure our military needs, and delivers critical resources for our allies and partners around the globe.”

Inhofe is a high-ranking member of the SASC committed to resurrecting the US military from its readiness crisis and addressing the growing threats from adversaries. He is a proud Oklahoman who helps to ensure that the military has the best equipment, training, and resources to meet the nation’s diverse security challenges. On the other hand, Reed is in charge of the SASC, which helps shape defense policy and spending for the DOD.

MH-60 Sierra Seahawk
MH-60 Sierra Seahawk. (Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan Lavin/dvidshub)

SASC’s version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will support a $13.8 billion increase in procurement funds over the Pentagon’s budget request and up to $7.5 billion in additional funds for R&D, testing, and evaluation programs. Furthermore, the NDAA will fund future battlefield investments in hypersonic, artificial intelligence, and cyber platforms.