By Ken Miller, AOC Director of Advocacy & Outreach
On Thursday, June 4, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) reported H.R. 8800, the FY 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), marking the first defense spending bill heading to the Chamber floor for a vote. The bill passed out of Committee by a bipartisan vote of 44-12. The US House of Representatives is scheduled to consider the bill later this month.
H.R. 8800 authorizes $1.15 trillion in discretionary funds for Department of Defense and defense-related activities by other agencies. The bill brings defense spending up to 4.5% of our GDP with a goal to reach topline investment of $1.5 trillion in FY 2027, which includes funds previously allocated through reconciliation.
Combat Support Agency Report Language
An important provision added during HASC markup on June 4 was Directive Report Language sponsored by Rep. Mark Messmer (IN-08) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), members of the congressional Electromagnetic Warfare Working Group (EWWG). The DRL calls for a review of governance structures supporting US electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO). The language cites concern that the US is not prepared to maintain EMSO superiority against advanced near-peer adversaries. Specifically, the language calls for an update on the progress of the implementation of the 2020 EMS Superiority Strategy, an evaluation of potential governance structures for EMSO, and legislative adjustments necessary to support the recommended governance structure.
The language was adopted unanimously as part of an en bloc amendment. Since its DRL, it takes effect immediately and does not need to be considered during Conference Committee with the US Senate later this year. AOC strongly supports the language and the efforts of the EWWG, as it marks the next step in the evolution of our legislative proposal to establish a new Combat Support Agency for EMSO to consolidate and unify leadership, authorities, and resources.
Other EMSO Provisions
- $1.162 billion for Compass Call procurement (2 accounts), matching the President’s Budget Request (PBR).
- Section 1602 requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), to designate a single principal official with responsibility for the DOD position, navigation, and timing (PNT) enterprise.
- Report language directing the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the HASC on DOD’s compliance with MIL-STD-188-125-1, having to do with standards for Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Protection.
- Report language directing the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing to the HASC on a strategic approach to leverage regional STEM ecosystems to support defense workforce needs.
- Section 1512 on Artificial Intelligence Model Rapid Deployment Framework directs the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer to establish an Artificial Intelligence Model Rapid Deployment Framework to enable rapid onboarding, security, authorization, employment, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems on DOD enterprise AI platforms.
- Section 1513 calls for an update of policy on Autonomous and Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Systems, which directs DOD to update its policies governing autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence-enabled systems that support, recommend, or materially influence operational decisions associated with the employment of force, including through revisions to the Department of Defense Directive 3000.09.
- Sections 1231-1233 focus on US and NATO relations and European defense, including force posture modifications in Europe, planning and burden sharing activities, Baltic Air and Missile Defense, and Baltic Training Ranges. There is also report language supporting permanent stationing of US Armored Brigade Combat Teams in Poland.
- Section 1242 authorizes up to $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.
- Report language directing the Secretary of Defense to assess the extent to which mobile ad hoc networking and commercially derived communications systems in Taiwan support US operational requirements in congested or degraded environments.
- Section 1801 amends US Code to comprehensively restructure restrictions related to the sourcing of certain critical materials to protect and strengthen supply chains.
The AOC will provide updates as H.R. 8800 continues its journey through the legislative processes. The bill is scheduled to be brought to the House floor in the coming weeks for consideration before reporting the bill to the US Senate. Meanwhile, the US Senate is working on its own version of the NDAA, which the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) plans to consider later this month.
