by Ryan Morgan via The Epoch Times at ZeroHedge
This latest version of the NDAA, coming in at 1,813 pages, is a compromise between earlier House and Senate proposals for the annual defense bill.
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees released the new compromise bill on Dec. 7.
It allocates $849.9 billion for programs under the Department of Defense (DOD), another $33.3 billion for defense programs run through the Department of Energy and its Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, and $512.4 million for defense-related activities.
The NDAA allows for up to $11.5 billion in discretionary spending adjustments, bringing the potential total to $895.2 billion.
Another $26.5 billion is tied to mandatory programs.
The new version includes increased funding to bolster U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region with $15.6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a program focused on bolstering the U.S. military’s China-facing capabilities.
The spending allocation is $5.7 billion higher than the DOD requested.
Other provisions are aimed at reducing the risk of Chinese actors being able to access sensitive U.S. information.
Numerous measures bar the DOD from buying
certain equipment or contracting for specific services from China.
The compromise NDAA also provides funding for seven new warships, including one Virginia-class submarine and supplemental funding for a second; an amphibious transport dock ship; and one medium landing ship.
It also authorizes funding for three new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers; one more than the DOD requested.
The new NDAA fully funds the new Columbia-class submarine and B-21 Raider stealth bomber programs.
Included in the Act,…
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