HASC adds funds for Virginia-class subs, Ukraine in FY26 policy bill
Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.
Republicans successfully batted down a number of Democratic amendments during the 14-hour markup session.
“The fragility of today’s DIB [defense industrial base] is a direct consequence of decades of well-intentioned, but ultimately misguided, acquisition regulations,” a summary of the bill reads.
Effectively untouched after about four hours of debate, the bill will now go to the House Budget Committee.
As Ranking Member of the HASC, Smith plays a senior role in a committee with legislative jurisdiction over military policy through the annual passage of the the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The Pentagon should continue to buy and upgrade the Lockheed Martin F-35, Frank Kendall said today, while underscoring that “better performance” is needed from the stealth jet’s manufacturer.
In which five executives, three lawmakers and two Pentagon officials weigh in on whether they think DOGE will be a good thing or a bad thing for the Defense Department.
Democrats were infuriated by a last minute addition of language by House Speaker Mike Johnson that would ban Tricare from covering gender dysphoria treatments “that could result in sterilization” for transgender children of servicemembers.
"The safety of our sailors is our top concern, and we must immediately understand any risks associated with the faulty work,” said four top leaders of the House Armed Services Committee.
“I'd like to see in a Harris administration, a commitment to the innovation reform agenda at DoD,” said HASC Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith. “That really has, I think, stalled a little bit."
“I’m surprised at times, some of the people who just fall into full-scale China bashing and talk about how terrible China is, which it isn’t. We can't let them do this,” said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.
The military space sector is evolving fast. Get the latest from Space Force and industry officials on what’s next for acquisition, policy and training in a new Breaking Defense eBook.
The House and Senate are both expected to vote on the final bill next week.
During a marathon markup session that started on Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee approved an amendment that would add $37 billion to the defense topline.
Although lawmakers repeatedly said their position wasn't meant to favor a particular company, in some respects the debate was held over parochial lines, as some of the most outspoken had interests in their districts.
Staffers briefing reporters ahead of the release emphasized a focus on the health of the munitions industrial base.