House backs USD 675 billion spending bill for Pentagon

The House today approved a USD 675 billion spending bill for the Defence Department that includes a 2.6 per cent raise for the military.

The 359-49 vote sends the bill to the Senate, where the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a similar measure this week.

The House bill provides USD 146 billion for equipment and upgrades, including USD 22.7 billion for 12 Navy ships, two Virginia-class submarines and three fast-moving littoral combat ships. The relatively small ships are intended to operate in congested areas near the shore against small boats and mines.

The bill also includes USD 9.4 billion for 93 F-35 aircraft and more than USD 4 billion for Black Hawk, Apache and other helicopters.

Rep. Kay Granger, a Texas Republican who chairs the defense appropriations subcommittee, said the bill provides the military with needed resources "to respond to and deter threats from countries like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, and also counter violent extremists throughout the world."
"Broad majorities of Democrats and Republicans in Congress know that China has led a dedicated and long-term campaign to steal American secrets, techniques and know-how," Gallego said in a statement. He called his amendment "a small step in a larger fight to build a comprehensive strategy to defeat and deter Chinese attacks on our national and economic security."
"We're taking steps to make sure more lives aren't lost because of outdated, subpar equipment," Ryan said, adding that lawmakers were "keeping our promise to build a 21st century military worthy of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve."