The compromise version of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act unveiled Tuesday reflects a $45 billion increase to the Biden administration’s defense budget request, setting the topline at $857.9 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The NDAA includes a 4.6 percent salary increase for service personnel and the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce and revocation of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the military.
The compromise annual defense policy bill would authorize $1 billion for the procurement of critical metals and minerals for the U.S. defense stockpile, up to $10 billion over five years to fund sales of military equipment and weapons to Taiwan and $800 million for security assistance to Ukraine.
The measure would designate budget for new aircraft, vehicles, hypersonics and microelectronics and funding for intelligence agencies and the State Department.
The bill should clear both the House and Senate before moving to the White House for President Jode Biden’s signature. Congressional negotiators should also reach a deal on an omnibus bill to fund government operations before the existing continuing resolution expires on Dec. 16.
