Defense bill not perfect, but should result in stronger, more effective US military
Fox News
The foremost achievement of the bill, passed by both chambers of Congress, is a higher top line for defense spending: $858 billion for military and national security programs
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Spoehr is the director of The Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense.
The bill’s foremost achievement is a higher top line for defense spending: $858 billion for military and national security programs. This corrects President Biden’s anemic request for only $813 billion, which did not begin to account for the full impact of inflation. This additional funding will be vital as the U.S. finally begins to counter the growing global threat of the Chinese Communist Party and as Russia continues its immoral war against Ukraine.
The bill contains numerous provisions that enhance military readiness. Among other things, it: prohibits the early retirement of combat platforms, such as the F-22 fighter; calls for the procurement of 11 Navy ships; restores funding for the sea-launched nuclear cruise missile; acquires a 12th Coast Guard national security cutter; and reforms the National Defense Stockpile.
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