John Bennett writes that the legislation includes $63.4 billion to finance weapon research and development projects, a $370 million increase from the current budget.
The Pentagon would also have $91.2 billion to award to arms manufacturers under the House Appropriations Committee’s bill, according to Bennett’s article.
Bennett writes the bill allocates $5.8 billion for the acquisition of 38 new F-35 fighter jets and another $1.6 billion for the KC-46 aerial refueling program at the Air Force.
The House Appropriations Committee has also voted to endorse the Air Force’s plan to retire its A-10 attack jets.
Defense News reports the panel’s defense appropriations bill could reach the House floor before the legislative recess in August.