Washington, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023. The NDAA funds defense and related programs and is one of the largest pieces of legislation that Congress passes each year. This year, the bill includes $847.3 billion in discretionary spending for our national defense.
“I consider funding our national defense programs to keep this country safe to be one of our most important responsibilities as Members of Congress,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). “This legislation is a critical investment in protecting American families, as well as a commitment to ongoing innovation, a strong and diverse workforce, and the longevity of our global security.”
The NDAA includes the fiscal year 2023 Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), which was approved by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, of which Rep. Himes is a senior member. The IAA includes provisions to enhance Congressional oversight of the intelligence community, ensure the ongoing innovation and adoption of new technologies, and protect the United States from foreign commercial spyware and other counterintelligence threats.
“It is, of course, essential to keep our military strong,” said Rep. Himes, “but as global threats evolve so must our understanding of national security. The IAA invests in a wide range of intelligence programs and capabilities to ensure we keep pace with our adversaries in the coming years.”
The NDAA also contains significant funds for Connecticut-based companies that employ thousands of workers. These include the purchase of:
- 69 F-35 aircrafts for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps;
- 27 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for the Army National Guard;
- 12 CH-53K heavy lift helicopters for the Marine Corps;
- 20 Combat Rescue Helicopters for the Air Force.
In addition, the NDAA contains several provisions related to Ukraine, including committing $500 million to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $2.1 billion to the European Defense Initiative. The bill also addresses concerns around oversight of U.S. assistance to Ukraine by requiring a comprehensive assessment of existing oversight arrangements. Rep. Himes visited Ukraine in October, and has been a strong advocate for increased funding to combat the Russian war.
For more information or with any questions, contact Nora Kohli at Nora.Kohli@mail.house.gov
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