ARLINGTON, VA — The National Defense Industrial Association issues Wednesday, June 22, the following statement on congressional actions for the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act committee marks:
NDIA applauds the bipartisan House 42-17 vote this afternoon to increase the topline and commends the congressional Armed Services committees for moving forward with their individual marks on the forthcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023. We look forward to a 62nd consecutive passage of the authorities critical to defense that ensure our troops have the equipment and resources necessary to carry out their missions.
Both bills continue support for current readiness, increased warfighting capabilities, investment in new technologies, and replenishing critical munitions.
NDIA is especially pleased with the 23-3 vote of the SASC to increase the topline to $847 billion. The additional increase over the president’s budget request will help answer inflation and provide the authorization of appropriation needed to implement the National Defense Strategy. We call upon Congress to find a similar bipartisan agreement to properly fund the defense appropriations bills.
NDIA CEO and President HON David L. Norquist commends the votes, stating, “Inflation is our reality, and we cannot dismiss its effect on the Defense Department. These overwhelming bipartisan votes are a recognition of our strategic challenges and a commitment across the aisle to ensure national security is sound and it remains a priority.”
NDIA will be following closely as the NDAA progresses through the respective chambers to conference. We encourage an on-time passage of the bill to ensure our nation has the authorizations necessary for our national defense.
The inclusion this afternoon by HASC of an amendment in the en bloc package No. 1 to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation and Research Program affirms NDIA and its small-business members’ efforts. The authority, set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, provides critical capabilities to DoD. We commend these efforts and hope to see a similar provision included in the Senate’s mark.