Lawmakers rebuke Prez's defen$e

A compromise may be immerging over the annual defense funding policy legislation that would endorse a $45B increase to President Joe Biden’s defense spending plans, according to four people familiar with the negotiations. The deal would set the budget topline of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act at $847B for defense and as high as $858B that includes programs that fall outside of the jurisdiction of the Senate and House Armed Services committees (ASCs). The level mirrors the increased budget approved by SASC in June. Four people familiar with the talks were granted anonymity to describe details of legislation that hasn’t been finalized to Politico. Though it's still in negotiations, lawmakers are poised to deliver a second straight bipartisan rebuke to the Biden administration’s defense spending plans. The White House sought $802B for defense programs. Lawmakers are aiming to have an NDAA ready for a vote in the House next week. From there, it goes to the Senate and, if approved, to the White House for the president's signature. Negotiators have been tight-lipped on how they resolved the issues. Lawmakers in both chambers backed the increases on the premise of addressing inflation and keeping pace with China. Though a major showing of bipartisanship, lawmakers still need to pass an appropriations package to fund the Pentagon for the rest of the fiscal year. The current funding runs out Dec. 16 and appropriators haven’t reached a deal to prevent a partial government shutdown. (Politico 11/30/22) House, Senate negotiators agree to add $45B to Biden’s defense budget - POLITICO