H.R. 6157, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Situation

On Thursday, June 28, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2019, under a structured rule.  H.R. 6157 was introduced on June 20, 2018, by Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) after the Committee on Appropriations approved the bill, as amended, by a vote of 48-4 on June 13, 2018.

Summary

H.R. 6157 provides $674.6 billion in total discretionary budget authority for the Department of Defense for fiscal year (FY) 2019. The bill provides $606.5 billion for the Department of Defense base budget, which is an increase of $17.1 billion above FY18 levels, and $68.1 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account to support the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). This funding level is consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act as well as the recently enacted budget agreement.

The major provisions of the bill are as follows:

Title I—Military Personnel

The bill provides a total of $144 billion - $139.3 billion for base requirements and $4.7 billion for OCO/GWOT requirements – to provide for 1,338,100 active-duty troops and 817,700 Guard and Reserve troops. The bill fully funds the requested 16,400 end-strength increase and the 2.6 percent pay raise for the military.

Title II—Operation and Maintenance

The bill provides a total of $245.9 billion - $197.6 billion for base requirements and $48.3 billion for OCO/GWOT requirements – for operation and maintenance. This funding supports key readiness programs to prepare troops for combat and peacetime missions, including flight time and battle training, equipment and facility maintenance, and base operations. Within this amount, the bill includes $1 billion above the request to fill readiness shortfalls, $1.05 billion above the request to invest in facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization programs, and $20.6 billion total for depot maintenance. This funding will help rebuild our forces to ensure our troops have the training and equipment they need.

Title III—Procurement

The bill provides for a total of $145.7 billion - $133 billion for base requirements and $12.7 billion for OCO/GWOT requirements - for equipment and upgrades. Major initiatives and modifications include:

• $22.7 billion for 12 Navy ships, including 3 DDG-51 guided missile destroyers, 3 Littoral Combat Ships, two Virginia-class submarines, one expeditionary sea base, two TAO fleet oilers, and one towing, salvage, and rescue ship.
• $9.4 billion for 93 F-35 aircraft
• $1.9 billion for 24 F/A 18E/F Super Hornet aircraft
• $1.8 billion for 18 C-130J aircraft
• $1.2 billion for 58 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
• $1.1 billion for 66 AH-64 Apache helicopters
• $1.1 billion for 13 V-22 aircraft
• $163 million for 10 MQ-1 Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles
• $488 million for 24 MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles
• $1.8 billion for 10 P-8A Poseidon aircraft
• $2.3 billion for 15 KC-46 tanker aircraft
• $678 million for 10 Combat Rescue Helicopters
• $1.7 billion for 5 space launch and capability services
• $1.5 billion for upgrade of 85 Abrams tanks
• $200 million for the Israeli Cooperative Programs
• $100 million for National Guard High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle recapitalization
• $1.3 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account

Title IV—Research, Development, Test and Evaluation

The bill provides a total of $92.4 billion - $91.2 billion for base requirements and $1.2 billion for OCO/GWOT requirements - for research, development, test and evaluation. Funding for base requirements is $2.9 billion above fiscal year 2018.

Title V—Revolving and Management Funds

The bill provides a total of $1.557 billion - $1.542 billion for base requirements and $15.2 million for OCO/GWOT requirements - for the Defense Revolving and Management Funds.

Title VI—Other Department of Defense Programs

The bill provides a total of $34.4 billion - $34 billion for base requirements and $352 million for OCO/GWOT requirements - for expenses not otherwise provided for, including the Defense Health Program. Specifically, the bill provides $364 million for cancer research, $125 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research, and $318 million for sexual assault prevention and response. In addition, the bill provides for:

• $993.8 million for Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction
• $854.8 million for Drug Interdiction and Counter Drug activities
• $329.3 million for the Office of the Inspector General

Title VII—Related Agencies

Title VII provides for $514 million for continuing the operation of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund. The Title also provides for $512.4 million for the Intelligence Community Management Account.

Title VIII—General Provisions

Title VIII includes, among others, the following general provisions:

• Section 8012 provides that civilian personnel of the Department of Defense may not be managed on the basis of end strength or be subject to end strength limitations.
• Section 8024 provides that none of the funds appropriated or made available shall be used to procure carbon, alloy, or armor steel plate that were not melted and rolled in the U.S. or Canada.
• Section 8065 provides $500 million for Israel Cooperative Programs. An additional $47.5 million is provided in title II for the Israeli anti-tunneling program.
• Section 8094 prohibits funding to transfer or release any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into the United States, its territories, or possessions.
• Section 8095 prohibits funding to modify any United States facility (other than the facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) to house any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Section 8096 prohibits funding to transfer any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a country of origin or other foreign country or entity unless the Secretary of Defense makes certain certifications.
• Section 8105 prohibits the use of funds by the National Security Agency targeting U.S. persons under authorities granted in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
• Section 8109 prohibits funding from being used to violate the War Powers Resolution Act.
• Section 8115 prohibits the use of funds to close facilities at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

Title IX—Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)

Title IX provides $68.1 billion for Global War on Terrorism operations or the OCO fund.  This will provide the needed resources for preparation and operations in the field to fight ongoing threats, including funding for personnel requirements, operational needs, the purchase of new aircraft to replace combat losses, combat vehicle modifications, additional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, and maintenance of facilities and equipment. It also provides critical support to our key allies, such as Israel, Ukraine and Jordan, to resist aggression. A breakdown of funding is included in each title above.

Classified Annex

The bill also provides funding for certain classified programs. These funding levels are made available for review to Members in a classified annex.

Background

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act has historically been the key mechanism through which Congress funds one of its primary responsibilities as mandated in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense; to raise and support an Army; to provide and maintain a Navy; and to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.

According to Subcommittee Chairwoman Granger, “The FY18 Defense Appropriations bill was a turning point that enabled the military to start to rebuild after years of declining military readiness. This bill continues the progress we were able to make in FY18.  It is a product of countless meetings and briefings with our military leaders and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the U.S. military is the strongest, most capable military in the world,” said Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger. “Our military must have the resources it needs to respond to and deter threats from countries like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, and also counter violent extremists throughout the world. This bill does what General Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff has asked, it “ensures the joint force has the depth, flexibility, readiness and responsiveness that ensures our men and women will never face a fair fight.”[1]

Amendments

A list of amendments may be found here.

Amendments II

A list of amendments may be found here.

Cost

If enacted, H.R. 6157 would result in discretionary budget authority of $674.6 billion.

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.