09.12.19

Appropriations Committee Advances FY2020 Defense Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved its FY2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which makes essential investments in our military and supports programs necessary to protect critical interests of U.S. national security.  The legislation was advanced by a vote of 16-15.

 

The FY2020 Department of Defense funding bill includes $694.9 billion, an increase of $20.5 billion above the FY2019 enacted level.  The recommendation includes $622.5 billion in base funding, $70.7 billion for overseas contingency operations (OCO) funding in title IX of the bill, and $1.7 billion for emergency designated funding supporting disaster recovery efforts.  The legislation also supports a military pay increase of 3.1 percent, the largest in a decade.  Further, the funding measure includes significant investments in both basic research and future technologies such as hypersonics, 5G, artificial intelligence, missile defense, and cybersecurity.

 

“This is a strong bill.  It continues increases in funding for our nation’s defense that meet the objectives of the National Defense Strategy by improving readiness, investing in innovation, and bolstering the combat effectiveness of the Department of Defense,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), who also chairs the Subcommittee on Defense.

 

“Last year, Congress successfully marked the first time in a decade that America’s military was funded on time through regular order – which is key to ensuring the United States maintains its military advantage.  Without sustained and predictable investments to restore readiness and modernize our military, we will rapidly lose our military advantage – something we cannot afford in light of increasing national security challenges from around the globe.  I appreciate Vice Chairman Durbin’s efforts in crafting this bill,” Shelby concluded.

Bill Highlights:

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

 

The FY2020 measure provides $622.5 billion in base Department of Defense funding and $70.6 billion in OCO funding.  The bill also includes $1.7 billion in emergency funding.

 

Military Personnel and Pay – The Committee recommendation for military personnel accounts in FY2020 is $147.5 billion in base and OCO funding, an increase of $4.3 billion above the FY2019 enacted level. The recommendation includes $143.0 billion in base funding and $4.49 billion for OCO funding in title IX of the bill.  Highlights of the military personnel section include:

  • Supports a military pay raise of 3.1 percent;
  • Aligns with the Senate NDAA recommendation on an Active Duty end strength of 1,339,500 and a Selected Reserve end strength of 800,800 for a total strength of 2,140,300;
  • Recommends an additional $249.2 million to support Operation Guardian Support;
  • Recommends an additional $2.3 million to support ROTC Programs;
  • Recommends an additional $24 million to support JROTC Programs;
  • Recommends an additional $7 million to support wildfire training in the National Guard; and
  • Recommends an additional $3.3 million to support the Advanced Trauma Training Program.

 

Operation and Maintenance – The Committee recommendation for operation and maintenance accounts in FY2020 is $254.0 billion in base and OCO funding, an increase of $10.8 billion above the FY2019 enacted level and an increase of $1.7 billion above the budget request.  The recommendation includes $200.6 billion in base funding and $53.4 billion for OCO funding in title IX of the bill.  Highlights of the operation and maintenance section include:

  • Department of the Army:
    • Supports 31 Brigade Combat Teams, 5 Security Force Assistance Brigades, 11 Combat Aviation Brigades, and 25 decisive action Combat Training Center rotations;
    • Recommends an additional $161 million for Army aviation training; and
    • Recommends an additional $25.3 million to fund U.S. Southern Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) requirements.
  • Department of the Navy:
    • Supports requirements for carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and Navy and Marine aviation units to train and respond to emerging threats;
    • Recommends an additional $781.0 million for Navy ship depot maintenance; and
    • Supports the request for maintenance of aircraft and Marine Corps ground equipment.
  • Department of the Air Force:
    • Supports the budget request for Operation and Maintenance, Space Force;
    • Funds Air Force flying hours to executable levels; and
    • Recommends an additional $91.0 million for Air Force weapons systems sustainment.
  • Defense-Wide Programs:
    • Recommends an additional $30.8 million for Special Operations Command’s Identity Management and Signature Reduction programs to improve operational security and protect special operations forces’ personal information;
    • Recommends an additional $499.0 million for various increases to the Missile Defense Agency and other Defense-Wide programs such as impact aid for schools, innovative readiness training, and multiple initiatives included in S. 1790, the Senate-passed NDAA;
    • Fully funds the request of $250.0 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and extends the life of the funding to two years to enable better program execution; and
    • Recommends $400.0 million for Baltics Regional Air Defense.

 

Missile Defense – The Committee recommendation includes $10.58 billion for Missile Defense Agency (MDA), an increase of $1.2 billion above the request;

  • Recommends an additional $635.1 million for several MDA unfunded requirements, including:
    • +$108 million for Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (formerly Space Sensor Layer);
    • +$237.8 million to accelerate hypersonic defense programs; and
    • +$152.8 million for cyber security unfunded requirements;
  • Recommends an additional $692 million for additional MDA requirements, including:
    • +$180 million for GBI reliability/SLEP upgrades;
    • +$217 million for 6 additional boosters;
    • +$135 million for GBI launch silo improvements; and
    • +$91 million for radar upgrades and spares;
  • Recommends $728 million realignment within MDA FY2019 and FY2020 funds following the termination of the Redesigned Kill Vehicle program, to include an additional $222 million for a competitive follow-on Next Generation Interceptor program;
  • Recommends full funding for a SM-3 Block IB multi-year procurement contract; and
  • Recommends $500 million for Israeli Cooperative Programs, as requested.

 

Procurement – The Committee recommendation for procurement accounts in FY2020 is $144.0 billion in base and OCO funding, an increase of $1.9 billion above the budget request. The recommendation includes $132.8 billion in base funding and $11.2 billion for OCO funding in title IX of the bill.  Highlights of the procurement section include:

  • Aviation programs:
    • Recommends $1.85 billion for 18 additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and associated spare parts, including 12 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant and 6 F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant, for a total of 96 F-35s in FY2020;
    • Recommends an additional $156.0 million in advance procurement to increase Air Force planned procurements of F-35As in FY2021;
    • Recommends $2.1 billion for 12 KC-46A Tanker aircraft;
    • Recommends $1.7 billion for 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets;
    • Recommends $1.4 billion for 73 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters;
    • Recommends $1.1 billion for 6 P-8A Poseidon aircraft;
    • Recommends $992.4 million for 8 F-15EX aircraft, of which 2 test aircraft are funded in RDT&E, Air Force;
    • Recommends $806.8 million for remanufacture of 48 AH-64 Apache Block IIIA helicopters and $190 million in advance procurement;
    • Recommends $210 million for 6 O/A-X Light Attack Aircraft; and
    • Recommends an additional $90 million for MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicles in the OCO account.
  • Shipbuilding:
    • Recommends $24.4 billion, an increase of $600 million above the request for 14 battle force ships including: 2 Virginia Class submarines; 3 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke destroyers; 1 Future Frigate; 1 LHA; 1 LPD-17; 1 Expeditionary Fast Transport; 2 T-AO Fleet oilers: 1 T-ATS fleet tug: and 2 Large Unmanned Surface Vessels;
    • The recommendation supports the revised acquisition strategy for the VIRGINIA Class submarine (VCS) Block V multi-year procurement contract, as agreed to by the Navy and shipbuilder:
      • Recommends +$1.4 billion to fund fiscal year 2019 and 2020 VCS Block V multi-year procurement shortfalls;
      • Recommends +$200 million in advance procurement in support of the option for a 10th VCS within the current multi-year procurement contract;
      • Recommends +$100 million in Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy for risk-reducing design work to support an option to add an 11th submarine to the multi-year procurement contract;
    • +$123 million for submarine industrial base expansion to increase capacity and create multiple suppliers for critical submarine components;
    • +$390 million for long lead materials for 3 DDG-51 destroyers in fiscal year 2021;
    • +$130 million for surface combatant supplier base;
    • +$16.9 million to restore CVN 75, USS HARRY S TRUMAN, refueling and modernization; and
    • Transfers funds requested in Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy to Shipbuilding, Procurement, Navy for the procurement of Unmanned Surface Vessels.
  • Combat and Tactical Vehicles:
    • Fully funds the budget request of $1.7 billion for Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 upgrades;
    • Fully funds the budget request of $553.4 million for the Paladin Integrated Management program;
    • Recommends an additional $50.0 million for Lightweight 105mm Self-propelled howitzers and $10.0 million for 155mm Self-propelled howitzers;
    • Fully funds the $558 million included in the President’s budget request for Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV); and
    • Fully funds the $300.9 million request for procurement of Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1.
  • Missiles and Munitions:
    • Recommends $17.6 billion for missile and ammunition programs, including $3.0 billion in OCO funding;
    • Recommends an additional $43.7 million, including:
      • +$16.0 million for additional MK-48 torpedoes;
      • +$10.0 million for Navy facilitization efforts; and
      • +$7.2 million for the AT4CS Tandem Warhead;
    • Fully funds restarting production of the Tomahawk and ATACMS program; and
    • Fully funds SM-6 BLK I/IA multi-year procurement contract.
  • Space Procurement:
    • Fully funds the $1.2 billion National Security Space Launch request; and
    • Creates a new procurement line for Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Weather for procurement of a weather sensor.
  • Other Procurement:
    • Recommends +$850.0 million for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment account;
    • Restores some Army CFT reductions including +$66.0 million for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle program and +$52.5 million for the Advanced Medium Mobile Power Sources program;
    • Recommends +$32.7 million for cold weather Stryker vehicle protective shelters;
    • Recommends an additional $30 million for SOCOM tactical vehicles;
    • Recommends the requested $176 million for Marine Corps Ground Based Air Defense and $273 million for Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR); and
    • Recommends an additional $48.9 million to enhance domestic combat training ranges.

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation – The Committee recommendation for research, development, test and evaluation accounts in FY2020 is $105.1 billion in base and OCO funding, an increase of $9.0 billion above the FY2019 enacted level and an increase of $821.6 million above the budget request. The recommendation includes $104.3 billion in base funding and $833.8 million for OCO funding in title IX of the bill.  Highlights of the research, development, test and evaluation section include:

  • Science and Technology Programs:
    • Overall, the bill provides an additional $1.64 billion in the science and technology budget activities; and
    • Supports the request for basic and university research and recommends an additional $307.8 million, as follows:
      • +$122.0 million in Army basic and university research;
      • +$76.5 million in Navy basic and university research;
      • +$50.0 million in Air Force basic and university research; and
      • +$59.3 million in Defense-Wide basic and university research.
  • Test and Evaluation Infrastructure:
    • Recommends an additional $235.3 million for upgrades of test and evaluation infrastructure to support technologies critical for implementing the 2018 National Defense Strategy including hypersonics, space, directed energy, and cyber.
  • Department of the Army Programs:
    • Supports a 12.1% overall increase above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level;
    • Fully funds and provides an additional $150.6 million for hypersonics to develop a common hypersonic glide body;
    • Recommends $449.6 million for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle;
    • Recommends $301.3 million for Mobile Protected Firepower;
    • Recommends $447.9 million for Future Vertical Lift, including an additional $75.6 million to accelerate the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft;
    • Recommends $379.8 million for the Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor;
    • Recommends $333.5 million for the Integrated Visual Augmentation System; and
    • Fully funds $206.4 million for the Improved Turbine Engine Program.
  • Department of the Navy Programs:
    • Recommends an increase of $1.3 billion above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level;
    • Fully funds development of Ohio Class Replacement Submarine, as requested;
    • Fully funds development of Future Frigate, as requested;
    • Fully funds development of LCS mission modules;
    • Fully funds development of Extra Large and Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles;
    • Fully funds development of Presidential Helicopter (VH-92); and
    • Recommends an additional $47.5 million for INDOPACOM quick strike joint direct attack munition unfunded requirement.
  • Department of the Air Force Programs:
    • Recommends $2.9 billion for the B-21 bomber program and $960 million for Next Generation Air Dominance;
    • Supports Air Force nuclear modernization by fully funding and providing an additional $65 million for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program and fully funding the Long Range Standoff Weapon program;
    • Fully funds the VC-25B Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization and UH-1N aircraft programs and provides an additional $35 million for the KC-46 Tanker program;
    • Fully funds and provides an additional $14 million for directed energy and hypersonic weapons prototyping programs;
    • Fully funds and provides an additional $536 million for Next Generation OPIR;
    • Fully funds the National Security Space Launch request and includes a general provision to protect the Air Force launch development and launch service procurement schedules; and
    • Creates a new line for Tactically Responsive Launch to ensure the Air Force devotes adequate resources to venture class launch services. 
  • Defense-Wide Programs:
    • Recommends an additional $436.0 million to support the Department’s new 5G program;
    • Recommends an additional $341.0 million for cyber security enhancements;
    • Recommends an additional $127.0 million for manufacturing science and technology; and
    • Recommends an additional $165.0 million for Strategic Capabilities Office programs, including $140.0 million for development of a micro nuclear reactor.
    • Recommends an additional $235.3 million for upgrades of test and evaluation infrastructure to support technologies critical for implementing the 2018 National Defense Strategy including hypersonics, space, directed energy, and cyber.

 

Disaster Relief – The Committee recommendation for additional appropriations for disaster relief in FY2020 is $1.7 billion and is designated for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Michael and Florence and flooding and earthquakes occurring in fiscal year 2019.

 

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