# Authorization and Appropriations for FY2005: Defense > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3ARL32305 ## Record - **Collection:** Congressional research report - **Document type:** CRS Report - **Published:** December 14, 2004 - **Citation:** RL32305 ## Text Order Code RL32305 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Authorization and Appropriations for FY2005: Defense Updated December 14, 2004 name redacted and name redacted Specialists in National Defense Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes. Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission of the President’s budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. This report is a guide to one of the 13 regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year. It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense. It summarizes the status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related congressional activity, and is updated as events warrant. The report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products. NOTE: A Web version of this document is available to congressional staff at [http://www.crs.gov/products/appropriations/apppage.shtml]. Authorization and Appropriations for FY2005: Defense Summary Early on the morning on October 7, 2004, a conference agreement on the FY2005 defense authorization bill (H.R. 4200) was announced. The House approved the conference agreement by a vote of 359-14 on October 8, and the Senate approved it by unanimous consent on October 9. The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 108-375) on October 23. On the key issues, conferees rejected a House provision to delay military base closures; authorized purchases, but not leasing, of Boeing KC767 or other refueling aircraft; increased statutory caps on Army and Marine Corps active duty end-strength in FY2005 by 23,000; rejected a House provision that would limit purchases of defense goods from nations that require offsets for purchases of U.S. weapons; and increased benefits for 62-and-older survivors of military retirees. Earlier, on July 22, 2004, both the House (by a vote of 410-12) and the Senate (by a vote of 96-0) approved a conference agreement on the FY2005 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 4613). The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 108-287) on August 5, 2004. The conference agreement provides $391.2 billion for regular Department of Defense programs, about $1.7 billion below the Administration request, $25 billion in emergency funds for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $685 million for State Department operations in Iraq, $95 million for assistance to refugees in Sudan and Chad, $500 million for fire fighting, $50 million for security at the party conventions, and $26 million for a federal judiciary shortfall. Later, the energy and water appropriations bill, included in the consolidated appropriations bill (H.R. 4818), rescinded $300 million in regular FY2005 defense appropriations. The appropriations conference agreement resolves what was, perhaps, the major defense issue in Congress this year: whether to provide additional funds for ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. On May 12, after considerable prodding from Congress, the Administration requested $25 billion to cover costs for the next few months. The key issue in Congress then became how much flexibility to grant the Defense Department in allocating the funds. None of the congressional defense committees agreed to the Administration request for full funding flexibility. The conference agreement on the appropriations bill provides $3.8 billion of the funds in a flexible transfer account, of which $1.8 billion is for classified programs, leaving $2 billion available for unforseen expenses. The remainder is provided in regular defense appropriations accounts subject to standard procedures requiring advance congressional approval if funds are shifted between accounts. The appropriations conference report also resolves a number of major weapons issues. It makes substantial cuts in a few high-profile weapons programs, including the Space-Based Radar and the Transformational Communications Satellite. It approves funding to begin construction of the Navy DD(X) destroyer and Littoral Combat Ship. One other major defense policy issue was resolved in action on the energy and water appropriations bill. In floor votes on the defense authorization bill, both the House and the Senate rejected amendments to eliminate funds for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator nuclear warhead and new low-yield nuclear weapons development. The conference agreement on the energy and water appropriations bill, however, following the House, eliminates funds for both programs. Key Policy Staff Area of Expertise Acquisition Aviation Forces Arms Control Arms Sales Base Closure Defense Budget Defense Industry Defense R&D Ground Forces Health Care; Military Intelligence Military Construction Military Personnel Military Personnel; Reserves Missile Defense Naval Forces Nuclear Weapons Peace Operations Radio Frequency, Military Readiness Space, Military War Powers Name Valerie Grasso (name redacted) Amy Woolf Richard Grimmett David Lockwood (name redacted) (name redacted) Jeff Chamberlin Gary Pagliano Daniel Else Michael Davey John Moteff Edward Bruner Steven Bowman Richard Best Richard Best Al Cumming Daniel Else Robert Goldich David Burrelli Telephone E-Mail 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... rs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.[re ted]@c dacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re [redac dacted]@crs.loc.gov (name redacted) 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov Steven Hildreth (name redacted) Ronald O’Rourke Jonathan Medalia Nina Serafino 7-.... [redac 7-.... 7-.... 7-.... ted]@crs.loc.[re dacted]@crs.loc.gov [redacted]@crs.loc.gov [redacted]@crs.loc.gov [redacted]@crs.loc.gov Lennard Kruger 7-.... [redacted]@crs.loc.gov (name redacted) Marcia Smith (name redacted) Richard Grimmett 7-.... 7-.... 7-.... [redac [redacted]@crs.loc.gov [redacted]@crs.loc.gov ted]@crs.loc.[re dacted]@crs.loc.gov Contents Most Recent Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Overview: What the Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills Cover . . . 1 Status of Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Highlights of Final Conference Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defense Authorization Conference Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defense Appropriations Conference Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Congressional Committee and Floor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 House Defense Authorization Markup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 House Defense Authorization Floor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Senate Defense Authorization Markup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Senate Defense Authorization Floor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 House Defense Appropriations Markup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 House Defense Appropriations Floor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Senate Defense Appropriations Markup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Senate Defense Appropriations Floor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Issues for Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Funding for Iraq and Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Deficits and the Defense Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Active Duty End-Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Missile Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 “Bow Waves” and “Train Wrecks”: Cost Growth and Affordability of Major Weapons Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Evolutionary Acquisition and Spiral Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Military Personnel Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Base Closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Overseas Troop Deployments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Army Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 DOD’s Civilian and Uniformed Personnel Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Easing Environmental Provisions Affecting Military Training . . . . . . . . . . 76 Development of New Nuclear Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Boeing KC-767 Tanker Aircraft Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Buy American Act, Trade Offsets, and Related Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Concurrent Budget Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Defense Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Defense Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 For Additional Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 CRS Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Appendix A. Funding Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Appendix B. Overview of the Administration Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Comanche Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Continued Growth in Operation and Maintenance and in Military Personnel Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Growth of Large Acquisition Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Appendix C: Defense Budget Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 List of Figures Figure B-1. Operation and Maintenance Budget Authority Per Active Duty Troop, FY1955-FY2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Figure B-2. Military Personnel Budget Authority Per Active Duty Troop, FY1973-FY2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Figure C-1. National Defense Outlays % of GDP, FY1947-FY2009 . . . . . . . . 100 Figure C-2. Federal Outlays % of GDP, FY1962-FY2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 List of Tables Table 1a. Status of FY2005 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 4613 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Table 1b. Status of FY2005 Defense Authorization: H.R. 4200, S. 2400 . . . . . . 3 Table 2. Side by Side Comparison of Key Provisions: Defense Authorization . . 7 Table 3. Side by Side Comparison of Key Provisions: Defense Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Table 4. Congressional Budget Resolution Target for the National Defense Budget Function (050) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Table A-1. Congressional Action on FY2005 Defense Appropriations Bill by Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Table A-2. National Defense Budget Function Request by Appropriations Bill, FY2002-FY2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Table A-3. Congressional Action on Missile Defense Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Table A-4. House and Senate Action on Major Weapons Acquisition Programs: Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Table A-5. House and Senate Action on Major Weapons Acquisition Programs: Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Table B-1. National Defense Budget Function, FY2004-FY2009, Administration Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Table B-2. Department of Defense Budget, FY2004-FY2005, With and Without FY2004 Supplemental Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Table B-3. Increases in Funding for Selected Acquisition Programs, FY2000-FY2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Table C-1. Change in National Defense Budget Function by Appropriations Title, FY2000-FY2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Table C-2. Administration Projections for the National Defense Budget Function, FY2005-FY2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Authorization and Appropriations for FY2005: Defense Most Recent Developments Early in the morning on October 7, 2004, a conference agreement on the FY2005 defense authorization bill (H.R. 4200) was announced. The House approved the conference report (by a vote of 359-14) on October 8, and the Senate approved it (by unanimous consent) on October 9. The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 108-375) on October 28. On the key issues, conferees rejected a House provision to delay military base closures; authorized purchases, but not leasing, of Boeing KC767 or other refueling aircraft; increased statutory caps on Army and Marine Corps active duty end-strength in FY2005 by 23,000; rejected a House provision that would limit purchases of defense goods from nations that require offsets for purchases of U.S. weapons; and increased benefits for 62-and-older survivors of military retirees. Earlier, on July 22, 2004, both the House (by a vote of 410-12) and the Senate (by a vote of 96-0) approved a conference agreement on the FY2005 defense appropriations bill (H.R. 4613). The President signed the bill into law on August 5, 2004 (P.L. 108-287). The conference appropriations agreement provides $416.9 billion in new budget authority, including $391.2 billion for regular Department of Defense programs and $28.2 billion in emergency funding, of which $25 billion is for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The $391.2 billion in regular defense appropriations is about $1.7 billion below the Administration request. The energy and water appropriations bill, included in the consolidated appropriations bill approved in November (H.R. 4818), however, rescinded $300 million of regular FY2005 defense appropriations. Overview: What the Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills Cover Congress provides funding for national defense programs in several annual appropriations measures, the largest of which is the defense appropriations bill. Congress also acts every year on a national defense authorization bill, which authorizes programs funded in several regular appropriations measures. The authorization bill addresses defense programs in almost precisely the same level of detail as the defense-related appropriations, and congressional debate about major defense policy and funding issues often occurs mainly in action on the authorization. Because the defense authorization and appropriations bills are so closely related, this report tracks congressional action on both measures. The annual defense appropriations bill provides funds for military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), including pay and benefits of military personnel, CRS-2 operation and maintenance of weapons and facilities, weapons procurement, and research and development, as well as for other purposes. Most of the funding in the bill is for programs administered by the Department of Defense, though the bill also provides (1) relatively small, unclassified amounts for the Central Intelligence Agency retirement fund and intelligence community management, (2) classified amounts for national foreign intelligence activities administered by the CIA and by other agencies as well as by DOD, and (3) very small amounts for some other agencies. Several other appropriations bills also provide funds for national defense activities of DOD and other agencies — see Table A-2 in the Appendix for a list and for budget amounts. This report does not generally track congressional action on defense-related programs in these other appropriations bills, except for a discussion of action on some Department of Energy nuclear weapons programs in the energy and water appropriations bill. Status of Legislation Congress began action on annual defense authorization bills the week of May 3, 2004. The House Armed Services Committee began subcommittee markup of its version of the FY2005 national defense authorization (H.R. 4200) on May 5, completed full committee markup on May 12, and reported the bill on May 13 (H.Rept. 108-533). The House began floor action on the bill on May 19 and approved it on May 20. The Senate Armed Services Committee completed full committee markup of its version of the bill (S. 2400) on May 7 and issued a report on May 11 (S.Rept. 108-284). Floor action on S. 2400 began in the Senate on May 17, and resumed on June 2 after the Memorial Day recess. Debate continued through June 23, when the bill was passed by a vote of 97-0. The Senate debated the bill for a total of four weeks. Action on the annual defense appropriations bills began on June 2, when the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee completed marking up its version of the bill. The full committee marked up the bill on June 16 and reported H.R. 4613 on June 18 (H.Rept. 108-553). The full House debated and passed the bill by a vote of 403-17 on June 22. The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version (S. 2559) on June 22, and filed a report on the bill on June 24 (S.Rept. 108-284). In floor action, the Senate took up the House-passed version of H.R. 4613 on June 24, incorporated the reported version of S. 2559 into H.R. 4613, considered amendments, and then passed H.R. 4613, as amended, by a vote of 98-0. A conference report was filed on July 20, 2004 (H.Rept. 108-622) and approved both in the House and in the Senate on July 22. The President signed the bill into law on August 5, 2004 (P.L. 108-287). Earlier, the Senate passed its version of the FY2005 concurrent budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 95) on March 12, and the House passed its version (H.Con.Res. 393) on March 25. A conference agreement was filed on April 10 and approved in the House on April 11 and “deemed” to be in effect on the House side on April 19, 2004 (H.Res. 649). The Senate has not taken up the conference agreement, but the conference agreement on the defense appropriations bill included CRS-3 a provision deeming amounts approved in the budget resolution for discretionary programs to be in effect in the Senate for subsequent action on appropriations bills. Table 1a. Status of FY2005 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 4613 Subcommittee Markup House House Report House Senate Passage Report Senate Passage Conf. Report Senate 6/2/04 6/22/04 Conference Report Approval House 6/22/04 6/18/04 6/24/04 (403-17) H.Rept. S.Rept. H.R. 108-553 108-284 4613 6/24/04 (98-0) S. 2559 Public Law Senate 7/20/04 8/5/04 7/22/04 7/22/04 H.Rept. (P.L. 108(410-12) (96-0) 108-622 287) Note: In floor action, the Senate substituted its version of the bill, S. 2559, into H.R. 4613. Table 1b. Status of FY2005 Defense Authorization: H.R. 4200, S. 2400 Full Committee Markup House Senate 5/12/04 5/7/04 House Report House Senate Senate Conf. Passage Report Passage Report Conference Report Approval House Public Law Senate 5/20/04 10/8/04 10/9/04 5/13/04 5/11/04 6/23/04 10/8/04 10/28/04 (391-34) (359-14) (Unanimous H.Rept. S.Rept. (97-0) H.Rept. (P.L. 108H.R. H.R. Consent) 108-491 108-260 S. 2400 108-767 375) 4200 4200 H.R. 4200 Highlights of Final Conference Agreements Defense Authorization Conference Agreement The conference on the defense authorization bill had to resolve differences between the House and the Senate on a number of major policy issues. What follows is a brief review of the issues, followed in each case by a summary of how the conference agreement of October 7 addresses them. For more extensive background on these issues, see the “Issues for Congress” section below. ! Funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The appropriations conference agreement provided $25 billion in emergency funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The remaining issue for the authorization conference is whether to add reporting requirements. The Senate version of the authorization requires quite extensive additional reporting on operations in Iraq in particular. Authorization conference outcome: Authorized $25 billion, as expected, including $435 million for body armor, $572 million for up-armored Humvees, and $100 million for bolt-on armor. Requires CRS-4 a number of reports, including quarterly accounting for operations conducted as part of the Global War on Terrorism, a report on the post-major combat operations phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a report on training for post-conflict operations. 1 ! Oversight of prisoner abuse in Iraq and elsewhere. The Senatepassed bill includes an amendment proposed by Senator Patrick Leahy that states it is U.S. policy not to abuse prisoners in its control and that requires the Administration to produce a number of documents related to treatment of U.S.-held prisoners. The House has rejected a number of proposals to require production of similar documents. Conference outcome: Includes a sense of the Congress section regarding abuse of detainees, development of a policy to prevent abuse, and reports to Congress on the policy. ! Army and Marine Corps end-strength. The House authorization bill, as reported by the Armed Services Committee and passed on the floor, increases Army end-strength by 10,000 and Marine Corps endstrength by 3,000 in each of the next three years, for a total increase of 39,000. The bill also establishes the new end-strength totals as statutory minimums. In floor action on June 17, the Senate adopted an amendment by Senator Jack Reed to increase Army end-strength by 20,000 in FY2005. The House and Senate appropriations bills provide funds for the higher troop levels within the $25 billion provided for Iraq and Afghanistan. Conference outcome: Agreed to increase Army end-strength by 20,000 and Marine end-strength by 3,000 in FY2005 and establishes the increased totals as minimums. Also authorizes, but does not require, additional increases of 10,000 in the Army and 6,000 in the Marine Corps over the next four years, but does not yet establish them as minimums. ! Military base closures. The House approved a measure in the authorization bill that would delay the next round of military base closures, now planned for 2005, until 2007, and that would require a number of reports in the interim. By a vote of 49-47, the Senate rejected an amendment to its version of the authorization that would have delayed domestic base closures until 2007. This issue is likely to be a major conference item because the Administration has threatened a veto if the final bill includes a delay in base closures.1 Conference outcome: Does not agree to the House proposal to delay base closures by two years. Requires approval of 7 of 9 commissioners to add a facility to the base closure list that the White House will propose. ! Health care for reservists. In a key floor vote, the Senate approved an amendment to the authorization bill by Senators Lindsey Graham Office of Management and Budget, Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 4200, May 19, 2004; [http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/108-2/hr4200sap-h.pdf]. CRS-5 and Tom Daschle to provide health insurance through the militaryrun TRICARE program for all non-deployed reservists and their dependents, with the Defense Department paying the employer share of the costs. Earlier, the Senate Armed Services Committee had approved a more limited measure to establish a health insurance program for non-deployed reservists and their dependents, called TRICARE Reserve Select. Under the program, employers could agree to pay part of the cost of the program, with reservists paying the remaining cost, or reservists could sign up by paying the full cost. The House authorization includes neither provision. Instead, the House bill establishes a three-year demonstration program for providing health insurance through TRICARE for reservists without access to employer-provided health insurance. The Senate bill also provides for a similar two-year demonstration program. Conference outcome: Does not approve the Senate proposal to provide TRICARE for all non-deployed reservists. Instead, who serve 90 consecutive days in active service or more and who agree to sign up for an additional year or more of service in the reserves one year of access to TRICARE after demobilization. ! Military Survivor Benefit Plan. The House authorization includes a measure that was adopted in markup to phase in increased benefits for 62-and-older surviving dependents of military retirees to 55% of retired pay (now provided to younger survivors) over four years through 2008. The Senate approved a floor amendment to the authorization bill that increases benefits for 62-and-older survivors from the current 35% of retired pay to 45% after September 2008 and to 55% after September 2014. Conference outcome: As in the House, phases in full 55% benefit level by 2008. ! KC-767A tanker acquisition. The House authorization approved a measure to require the Air Force to enter into a contract to acquire Boeing 767 tanker aircraft. The Senate approved a floor amendment to the authorization bill that establishes quite strict requirements before any funds can be obligated for 767 tanker acquisition. Conference outcome: Does not approve the House mandate to enter into a contract for 767s by next March. Repeals the leasepurchase program approved last year. Instead, prohibits leasing and authorizes multi-year procurement of 100 new aerial refueling aircraft (which could be 767s or an alternative). ! Renewal of authorization for public-private partnerships to provide military family housing. After this year, a statutory cap on funding for military housing privatization expires, and virtually all of the congressional defense committees called for extending it. Repealing the cap, however, would increase mandatory spending, so advocates struggled to find an offset for the extension — an effort to extend the program in House action on the military construction appropriations bill was defeated on a point of order. Conference outcome: The authorization conference agreement repeals the funding cap, offset CRS-6 by savings from repealing the KC-767 lease-purchase plan, which CBO had scored as mandatory spending. ! Limits on defense offset agreements and Buy American provisions. The House authorization includes a measure that would prohibit the United States from purchasing foreign-made defense items unless the seller agrees to provide trade “offsets” equal, as a share of value, to the offsets the selling nation applies to purchases from the United States. The provision may be waived if the Secretary of Defense certifies that a purchase is necessary to meet U.S. national security objections. In contrast, the Senate adopted an amendment to the authorization bill by Senator McCain (S.Amdt. 3461) that would allow the Secretary of Defense to exempt several allies from existing Buy American requirements. Conference outcome: Rejects the House provision that would limit purchases and substitutes a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive acquisition trade policy to ensure that U.S. firms are not disadvantaged by foreign offsets. ! Limits on arms sales and technology transfers to China. The House authorization includes one provision that would tighten restrictions on transfer of technology with potential military utility to China by U.S. or by foreign firms and another to expand the number of Chinese firms defined as “military companies” to which sales are restricted. The Senate bill includes no similar provisions. Conference outcome: As in the House bill, would expand the number of Chinese firms defined as “military companies.” ! Disposition of nuclear waste at Department of Energy nuclear weapons production facilities. The Senate authorization includes a measure that would allow liquid waste stored at the Savannah River nuclear weapons production plant to be redefined as low-level waste that could be stabilized and stored indefinitely on site. The Senate narrowly rejected a floor amendment to delete the provision. The House bill does not address the issue. Conference outcome: Approves the Senate provision with some amendments, including requiring a National Academy of Sciences study of alternatives for waste cleanup. ! Development of the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and other new nuclear weapons. Both the House and the Senate rejected amendments to the defense authorization bill to eliminate funds requested for RNEP and other new nuclear weapons development. The House-passed version of the FY2005 energy and water appropriations bill (H.R. 4614), however, eliminates the $36 million requested for the programs in the Department of Energy budget. Conference outcome: The conference agreement on the energy and water appropriations bill, included in the consolidated appropriations bill, H.R. 4818, eliminates funds for RNEP and other new nuclear weapons R&D. CRS-7 Table 2. Side by Side Comparison of Key Provisions: Defense Authorization House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Military Personnel End-Strength, Pay, and Benefits Increased statutory end-strength for the Army by 10,000 troops each year from FY2005 through FY2007 and for the Marine Corps by 3,000 troops each year through FY2007. Set FY2005 levels as minimums. Approved a floor amendment to increase Army end-strength by 20,000 in FY2005, but did not establish it as a floor. Increased end-strength for the Army by 20,000 and for the Marine Corps in FY2005, established both as minimums, and approved increases of 10,000 in the Army and 6,000 in the Marine Corps through FY2009. Approved the requested pay raise of 3.5% for uniformed personnel. Approved the requested pay raise of 3.5% for uniformed personnel. Approved the requested pay raise of 3.5% for uniformed personnel. Approved the request to complete a five-year phase in of increased housing allowances sufficient to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs. Approved the request to complete a five-year phase in of increased housing allowances sufficient to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs. Approved the request to complete a five-year phase in of increased housing allowances sufficient to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs. Approved a measure to increase Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) annuities for age 62-and-older survivors of military retirees from 35% of retired pay to 55% in increments through FY2008. Approved a floor amendment to increase Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) annuities for age 62-and-older survivors of military retirees from 35% of retired pay to 55% in increments through FY2014. Approved the House proposal to phase in the full 55% level by FY2008. Eliminated a statutory limit on funding for military housing privatization. Approved a floor amendment increasing the privatization cap by $1 as a placeholder for negotiations in conference. Eliminated the statutory cap on funding for housing privatization. CRS-8 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Permanently increased the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month and increased Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month. Also increased hardship duty pay, which may be provided to troops outside of combat zones, from $300 to $750 per month. Increased the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month and increased Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month. Increased the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month and increased Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month. These measures make permanent increases that Congress approved in the FY2003 and FY2004 Iraq supplemental appropriations bills. Did not accept House provision on hardship duty pay. Established a program to replace lost income of reservists mobilized for extended periods up to $3000 per month. Approved a floor amendment requiring that Federal agencies ensure that employees will not lose income when mobilized as reservists. Neither House nor Senate provision adopted. Authorized the Secretary of Defense to reimburse personnel for purchases of self-protection equipment if not provided by the services before deployment. Required the Defense Department to reimburse military personnel, families, or charitable organizations for purchases of self-protection equipment if not provided by the services before deployment. Requires the Defense Department to reimburse military personnel, families, or charitable organizations for purchases of self-protection equipment if not provided by the services before deployment. Establishes procedures for claims. Permanently extended to all hospitalized personnel a provision in the FY2004 defense appropriations act (P.L. 108-283) that eliminated a requirement that military personnel pay for meals while hospitalized for combat-related injuries. Extended to all hospitalized personnel a provision in the FY2004 defense appropriations bill that eliminated a requirement that military personnel pay for meals while hospitalized for combatrelated injuries. Permanently repeals the requirement that hospitalized personnel pay for meals. Authorized the Defense Department to accept donation of frequent flyer miles for travel of military personnel or family members. Authorized the Defense Department to accept donation of frequent flyer miles for travel of military personnel or family members and others. Authorizes the Defense Department to accept donation of frequent flyer miles for travel of military personnel or family members and others. CRS-9 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Directed the Defense Department to establish a three-year demonstration program that would permit non-deployed reservists not eligible for employer-sponsored health benefits to sign up for health insurance through the military-run TRICARE program. Established a two-year demonstration program to allow non-deployed military reservists not eligible for employer-sponsored heath insurance to sign up for health insurance through the military-run TRICARE program. Does not approve a TRICARE for reservists demonstration project but requires the Government Accountability Office to report on Defense Department preparations to carry one out. Adopted a floor amendment to allow all reservists to sign up for medical insurance through the military TRICARE program if they pay 28% of the cost. The Committee bill established a new health insurance program, called TRICARE Reserve Select, under which reservists and their dependents may sign up for health insurance through TRICARE, with employees paying 28% of the cost, as in the federal civilian health program, if employers agree to cover the remaining cost, or 100% if employers do not cover part of the cost. Allows reservists who have been activated and who reenlist to sign up for insurance through TRICARE for one year for each 90 days of active service. Would require them to pay of 28% of the cost. Also made permanent a provision in the FY2004 Iraq supplemental that made reservists eligible for TRICARE medical benefits 90 days before activation. Made permanent a provision in the FY2004 Iraq supplemental that made reservists eligible for TRICARE medical benefits 90 days before activation. Established a commission on roles, missions, and compensation of the National Guard and Reserves. Established a commission on roles, missions, and compensation of the National Guard and Reserves. Required separate campaign medals for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Not included in conference report because a similar provision was enacted earlier. Made permanent a provision in the FY2004 Iraq supplemental that made reservists eligible for TRICARE medical benefits 90 days before activation. Required separate campaign medals for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. CRS-10 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Directed the Secretary of Defense to submit proposed changes in the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding sexual assaults. Also extended the term of a task force on sexual assaults. Added a floor amendment requiring a uniform policy on sexual assault. Directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a uniform policy on sexual assault. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a uniform policy on sexual assault and requires various reports. Approved a provision to revise eligibility requirements for award of the Combat Infantry Badge and Combat Medical Badge to Army personnel in Korea. Approved a floor amendment to apply criteria for awarding the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge to Army personnel in Korea equivalent to procedures applied elsewhere. Agreed to the Senate provision. Adopted a floor amendment to eliminate the phase-in of concurrent receipt for veterans with a disability rating of 100% and immediately provide full benefits. Agreed to the Senate provision with a technical amendment. Adopted a floor amendment expressing the sense of Congress supporting current policy that there be no media coverage of the return to the United States of remains of deceased service members. Agreed to the Senate provision with a technical amendment. Adopted a floor amendment to exempt abortions of pregnancies due to rape or incest from the prohibition against using DOD funds for abortions. Not included in conference agreement. Adopted a floor amendment to transfer administration of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program from the Department of Energy to the Department of Labor. Agreed to the Senate provision with an amendment. CRS-11 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Major Weapons Programs (note that final funding for major weapons programs is determined in defense appropriations) Approved $10.2 billion, approximately the amount requested, for missile defense programs, though the committee trimmed funds for kinetic interceptor development and added funds for ground-based mid-course defense and for additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles. Approves $9.9 billion for missile defense programs, generally in line with the appropriations. Reduced funds for kinetic energy interceptor development Adopted a floor amendment to require the Secretary of Defense to prescribe and apply criteria for operationally realistic testing of fieldable prototypes developed under the ballistic missile defense program. Agreed to the Senate provision. Required the Air Force to enter into a multi-year contract to acquire Boeing KC-767A tanker aircraft. Also required that a new contract be negotiated after June 1, 2004, and that an independent panel review the contract terms. Approved a floor amendment requiring the Air Force to comply with all applicable acquisition laws and regulations before entering into a contract for refueling aircraft. Repeals a provision in the FY2004 authorization permitting leases of KC-767 tankers and adopts a provision permitting multiyear procurement of refueling aircraft. Approved the requested shift of funds from Comanche helicopter development to other Army aviation and related programs. Approved the requested shift of funds from Comanche helicopter development to other Army aviation and related programs. Approves the requested shift of funds from Comanche helicopter development to other Army aviation and related programs. Added $118 million to procure 35 UH-60 Army helicopters, rather than the 27 requested. Did not add funds for UH-60s. Did not add funds for UH-60s. Approved the requested $905 million for Stryker medium armored vehicle procurement. Approved the requested $905 million for Stryker medium armored vehicle procurement. Approves the requested $905 million for Stryker medium armored vehicle procurement. Cut $245 million from the $3.2 billion requested for Army Future Combat System development. Approved the requested $3.2 billion for Army Future Combat System development. Cuts $270 million from the $3.2 billion requested for FCS development Provided $10.0 billion for missile defense programs, $177 million below the request, cut funding for kinetic interceptor development by $200 million, and added $90 million for additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles. CRS-12 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Provided about the requested amounts to procure three DDG-51 destroyers, one Virginia-class attack submarine, one LPD-17 amphibious ship, and two T-AKE auxiliary ships. Approved requested funds for three DDG-51 destroyers, one Virginia-class submarine, one LPD-17 amphibious ship, and two T-AKE auxiliary ships. Provides about the requested amounts to procure three DDG-51 destroyers, one Virginia-class attack submarine, one LPD-17 amphibious ship, and two T-AKE auxiliary ships. Added $150 million as an initial increment for construction of a new LHD(R) amphibious ship. Added $150 million as the first increment of funding for procurement of the first of the new LHA(R)-class of amphibious assault ships. Adds $150 million as the first increment of funding for procurement of the first of the new LHA(R)-class of amphibious assault ships. Approved funds for continued development of the DD(X) destroyer but eliminated $221 million to begin constructing the first ship. Approved $1.5 billion, as requested, for DD(X) destroyer development, including $221 million in the R&D accounts for design and production of the first ship of the class, and added $99.4 million to accelerate design of the second ship. Approves $1.5 billion for DD(X) development, including $221 million for initial ship construction, added $84 million for second ship, trimmed $45 million from fleet support R&D. Approved funds for continued development of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) but eliminated $107 million to begin constructing the first ship. Approved $1.5 billion, as requested for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) development, including $107 million to start production of the first ship. Approves $350 million for development of the LCS, including $107 million to begin constructing the first ship. Approved $2.9 billion, as requested, for 42 Navy/Marine F/A-18E/F aircraft. Authorized $2.9 billion, as requested, for 42 F/A18E/F aircraft. Authorizes $2.9 billion, as requested, for 42 F/A18E/F aircraft. Approved $4.6 billion, as requested, for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development. Approved $3.6 billion for F-35 Joint Strike fighter development, adding $15 million for the shorttakeoff variant. Approves $3.5 billion for F-35 development — adds $8 million for STOVL, but cut $134 million from engine development. Approved $4.2 billion for 24 F/A-22 fighters. Approved $3.9 billion for 22 F/A-22 fighters, a reduction of $280 million and 2 aircraft from the request. Approves $4.2 billion for 24 F/A-22 fighters, with small reductions for efficiencies. Added $100 million to begin development of a next-generation bomber. Adds $30 million for bomber development. CRS-13 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Added $35 million to the $508 million requested for Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRSHigh) development. Added $35 million to the $508 million requested for Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRSHigh) development. Adds $35 million to the $508 million requested for Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) development. Cut $100 million from the $775 million requested for Transformational Communications Satellite development. Cut $100 million from the $775 million requested for Transformational Communications Satellite development. Following the appropriations, cuts $300 million from the $775 million requested for Transformational Communications Satellite development. Provided $328 million, as requested, for SpaceBased Radar development. Provided $328 million, as requested, for SpaceBased Radar development. Following the appropriations, provides $75 million, $273 million less than requested, for Space-Based Radar development. Added substantial funds for force protection and related programs, including $705 million for uparmored Humvees, $332 million for add-on armor for Humvees and trucks, $421 million for body armor, and $517 million for the Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative. Also passed a separate measure, H.R. 4323, to provide statutory authority to the Secretary of Defense to procure equipment needed for combatant commands rapidly by waiving normal acquisition requirements. Added substantial amounts for force protection and related measures, including $925 million for uparmored Humvees and add-on armor (the Administration requested $163 million for 818 uparmored Humvees), $603 million for force protection gear and combat clothing, and $107 million for the Army Rapid Fielding Initiative (designed to deploy high priority items rapidly to the soldiers in the field) and for Army and Marine individual equipment. Authorizes $105 million for the Rapid Fielding Initiative, added $572 million for up-armored Humvees, added $100 million for bolt-on armor. Approved a provision that would delay military base closures until 2007 and that would require the Defense Department to submit several reports related to military basing requirements by March of 2006. Rejected a floor amendment to delay military base closures. Did not include the House provision delaying base closures, but requires several reports and a vote of 7 of 9 members of the Base Closure Commission to add facilities to the closure list. Other Key Actions. CRS-14 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Approved $409 million, as requested, for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program that finances programs to safeguard or eliminate weapons in the former Soviet Union. Provided a one year waiver of limits on funding for a chemical demilitarization plant in Russia about which there has been a longstanding disagreement between the House and Senate. Approved $409 million, as requested, for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Also allowed the President annually to waive limits on funding for a chemical demilitarization plant in Russia. Approves $409 million, as requested, for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Also allows the President to waive limits on funding for a chemical demilitarization plant in Russia for each calendar year through December 31, 2006. Approved $1.3 billion, as requested, for Department of Energy non-proliferation programs. Approved $1.3 billion, as requested, for Department of Energy non-proliferation programs. Approves $1.3 billion, as requested, for Department of Energy non-proliferation programs. Approved measures to require that outsourcing of activities performed by more than 10 employees be permitted only if certain conditions are met, including a requirement that costs of health care and other benefits not disadvantage federal employees, and another to provide that Defense Department civilian employees may protest privatization decisions. Approved floor amendments similarly limiting outsourcing and permitting specific representatives of civilian employees to protest privatization decisions, but did not address health care and other benefits. Agreed to set requirements for outsourcing, including savings of 10% or $10 million. Approved the Senate provision regarding bid protests with clarifications. Did not require that health and other benefits not disadvantage federal employees, but required a study of the impact of health and other benefits. In report language, noted that the FY2005 defense appropriations bill limits outsourcing if health and other benefits are a disadvantage to federal employees. Approved a measure that would require that foreign countries receive no more in trade offsets as a percentage of the value of a contract for purchasing U.S. military equipment than the percentage of domestic content required for U.S.purchased military equipment. Approved a floor amendment to ease “Buy American” restrictions on defense trade with some allies. Rejected the House provision that would limit purchases and substituted a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive acquisition trade policy to ensure that U.S. firms are not disadvantaged by foreign offsets. CRS-15 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Approved one provision that would make it U.S. policy to restrict U.S. contracts with foreign companies that transfer technology with potential military utility to China and another to expand the number of Chinese firms defined as a “military company” to which sales are restricted. Made no similar provisions. Did not agree to the House provision regarding foreign firms that trade with China. Agreed to the House provision defining Chinese firms that are considered “military companies.” Adopted an amendment in the committee markup to prohibit leasing of support ships from foreign providers for more than one year. Made no similar provision. Agreed to no similar provision. Approved funding as requested for Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator R&D and for other research on new nuclear weapons. Approved requested funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and for other nuclear weapons R&D. Approved requested funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and for other nuclear weapons R&D. But funding remained at issue in energy and water appropriations bill. Approved a measure to ease rules regarding handling of radioactive waste at the Savannah River nuclear plant in South Carolina and the Idaho National Laboratory. Approved the Senate provision. Increased cap on U.S. military personnel in Colombia to 500. Agreed to an Administration request to increase a legislative cap on U.S. military personnel in Colombia from 400 to 800 and to increase the cap on contractors from 400 to 600. Agreed to the request to increase the cap on military personnel in Colombia to 800 and on contractors to 600. Approved $300 million for the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program (CERP) for smallscale reconstruction projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. Authorized $300 million for the CERP, and authorized the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to use up to $250 million to train and equip Iraqi and Afghan security forces. Authorized up to $300 million for the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program and up to $500 million to train and equip Iraqi and Afghan military and security forces. CRS-16 House Authorization Approved a measure requiring the Secretary of Defense to prescribe policies to prevent the abuse of detainees and adopted a floor amendment expressing the sense of Congress concerning the abuse of detainees in Iraq. Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Adopted a floor amendment to provide Federal assistance to states and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes. Not included in conference agreement. Adopted a floor amendment increasing penalties for obscene language in broadcasts. Not included in conference agreement. Adopted a floor amendment expressing the sense of the Senate that Armed Forces Radio and Television Service programming should be balanced. Not included in conference agreement. Adopted a floor amendment repealing FCC regulations that loosened ownership restrictions for television and radio media companies. Not included in conference agreement. Approved a floor amendment requiring reports on detainees; stating policy on U.S. adherence to international conventions on torture; prohibiting torture; and requiring the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations to ensure compliance and report twice a year on investigations of possible violations. Approved a measure stating the sense of Congress with regard to misconduct at Abu Ghraib and the prohibition on torture; setting out U.S. policy regarding proper treatment of detainees; requiring the Secretary of Defense to prescribe policies to ensure that detainees are treated in a humane manner; setting out minimum criteria for these policies; requiring that the Secretary certify that federal employees and contractor personnel involved with handling or interrogation of detainees fulfil annual training requirements; and containing several reporting requirements. CRS-17 House Authorization Senate Authorization Conference Authorization Adopted a floor amendment to extend military extraterritorial jurisdiction to cover personnel and contractor personnel of any federal agency or provisional authority supporting the mission of the Department of Defense overseas Agreed to the Senate provision. The House version of the FY2005 energy and water appropriations bills eliminated funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and other new nuclear weapons R&D. The Senate did not act on its version of the energy and water appropriations bill. The conference agreement on the energy and water appropriations bill, included in the consolidated appropriations bill, eliminates requested funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and for other new nuclear weapons R&D. The House bill, as reported by the Armed Services Committee, included a provision, Section 1541, requiring the Treasury Department, rather than the Defense Department, to make annual payments to the military retirement fund for the costs of providing TRICARE health insurance to over-65 military retirees beginning in FY2006. This is an effort to free up an additional $11-12 billion for defense programs by shifting costs to the nondefense side of the budget. No provision. Included an amended version of the House measure, Section 725. CRS-18 Defense Appropriations Conference Agreement The conference agreement on the FY2005 defense appropriations bill, approved in the House and Senate on July 22, 2004, and signed into law on August 5, provides $25 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and resolves a number of major weapons issues. Highlights of the defense appropriations conference agreement include 2 ! Funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both the Houseand Senate-passed versions of the defense appropriations bill included $25 billion, as the Administration requested on May 12, to cover costs of ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the first few months of FY2005. The main issue in Congress was how much flexibility to provide the Defense Department in allocating the funds among budget accounts. The conference agreement provides $3.8 billion of the money in a flexible transfer account, called the Iraq Freedom Fund, and the remainder in regular appropriations accounts. The level of detail in which the funds are provided is quite narrow, as in the House-passed appropriations bill, and the Defense Department will have to seek advance approval from the congressional defense committees to shift funds to other uses.2 Of the $3.8 billion in the Iraq Freedom Fund, $1.8 billion is for classified programs, so $2 billion is available for unforseen expenses. ! Repeal of FY2004 rescission. The FY2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-199), enacted last January, rescinded $1.8 billion of funds in earlier defense appropriations bills. The conference agreement repeals the rescission. The Congressional Budget Office scores this as a reappropriation of funds. So the total of emergency appropriations for the Defense Department in the FY2005 defense appropriations bill is $26.8 billion, with additional amounts for other agencies. ! Emergency funding for non-defense programs. The defense bill includes emergency funds for a number of other programs, including $685 million for State Department operations in Iraq,$95 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and Chad, $400 million to fight wild fires in the West, $50 million for security at the upcoming Democratic and Republican political conventions, and $26 million to make up a shortfall in Federal Judiciary defender services. For an extensive discussion, see CRS Report RL32422, The Administration’s FY2005 Request for $25 Billion for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: Precedents, Options, and Congressional Action, by (name redacted) and (name redacted). CRS-19 ! Navy DD(X) and LCS ship construction. The Administration requested $221 million in R&D funding for the DD(X) destroyer program to begin construction of the first ship of the class and $107 million, also in R&D funds, to begin construction of the first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The House authorization cut money for ship construction from both programs, though it approved continued development funding. The Senate authorizers approved the requested construction funds for both programs and also added $99 million in design funds for the DD(X) to accelerate production of a second ship. The House Appropriations Committee agreed with the House authorization in cutting money for DD(X) construction and added $125 million for advance procurement for an additional DD51 destroyer in place of the DD(X). The House appropriators did not, however, agree to trim funds for the LCS and instead added $107 million (for a total of $214 million) to fully fund construction of the first ship. Like the Senate authorization, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the requested construction funds for both programs and added $99 million for the DD(X), though it shifted the $221 million requested for DD(X) construction from R&D to the procurement accounts. The appropriations conference agreement provides $221 million for DD(X) construction, but in procurement rather than in R&D. The agreement also provides $214 million to fully fund construction of the first LCS in the R&D accounts. So the House authorization cuts did not prevail in final congressional action on appropriations. ! F/A-22 fighter. The Senate Armed Services Committee trimmed the request from 24 to 22 aircraft, saving $280 million. The House authorization and the House and Senate appropriations bills, however, all supported the full 24 aircraft, $4.2 billion procurement request. The appropriations conference agreement trims $30 million from the request for assumed efficiencies, but supports the full 24 aircraft request. ! Army Future Combat System (FCS). The House authorization trimmed $245 million from the FCS program and imposed a requirement that the Army more fully justify the program. The Senate provided the full $3.2 billion requested. The House Appropriations Committee cut $324 million and eliminated funds for the non-line of sight launch system (NLOS-LS), while providing full funding for the non-line of sight cannon (NLOS-C). The Senate appropriations bill provided the full $3.2 billion requested and the committee report specifically approved funding for NLOS-LS. The appropriations conference agreement trimmed $268 million from the program, but included $58.2 million for NLOS-LS. ! Space programs. The House appropriators shifted $91 million from the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program to the Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) program, as the Air Force requested. Senate appropriators, however, cut $100 CRS-20 million from the EELV due to delays but did not add anything to SBIRS-High. The appropriations conference agreement cuts $100 million from the EELV and adds $91 million to SBIRS-High. The House appropriators cut $100 million from the $775 million requested for the Transformational Communications Satellite program, following the House authorization, while the Senate appropriators cut $400 million. The appropriations conference agreement cuts $300 million, which will require the Air Force to substantially restructure the program. The House appropriators essentially terminated Space-Based Radar development, leaving $75 million for a more basic technology development effort, while the Senate appropriators cut $100 million from the $327 million requested. The appropriations conference agreement agrees with the House, effectively terminating the current Space-Based Radar program. CRS-21 Table 3. Side by Side Comparison of Key Provisions: Defense Appropriations House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Conference Appropriations Provided funding for a military pay raise of 3.5% and for housing allowances and other benefits as approved in the House authorization. Provided funding for a military pay raise of 3.5% and for housing allowances and other benefits as approved in the Senate authorization. Provided funding for a military pay raise of 3.5% and for housing allowances and other benefits. Within the $25 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, included funds for Army and Marine Corps endstrength increases as approved in the House authorization. Within the $25 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, included funds for an increase in Army endstrength of 20,000 as approved in the Senate authorization. Provides funds for added end-strength within the $25 billion provided for Iraq and Afghanistan. Cut $499.7 million from military personnel accounts to reflect perennial underexecution of military personnel programs in prior years, as reported by the General Accounting Office. Cut $375 million from military personnel accounts to reflect perennial underexecution of military personnel programs in prior years, as reported by the General Accounting Office. Cuts $528 million from military personnel accounts to reflect unobligated balances of prior year funds. Cut $94 million from military personnel accounts to reflect the planned end of U.S. operations in Bosnia in December 2004. Cut $94 million from military personnel accounts to reflect the planned end of U.S. operations in Bosnia in December 2004. Military Personnel End-Strength, Pay, and Benefits Major Weapons Programs Added $2.2 billion to “recapitalize” Army and Marine Corps ground forces, including $950 million, doubling the amount requested, to procure Stryker armored personnel carrier, $350 million for other armored combat vehicles, $503 million for helicopters, $390 million for trucks and other support vehicles, and $52 million for the ammunition production base. Adds $1.5 billion for Army recapitalization, including $625 million for Strykers, $313 million for other Army and Marine Corps armored vehicles and related equipment, $333 million for Army trucks, and $51 million for the ammunition production base. CRS-22 House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Conference Appropriations In Iraq/Afghanistan emergency funds provided $674 million for up-armored Humvees, $198 million for bolt-on armor, $297 million for the Army Rapid Fielding Initiative, and $59 million for aircraft hardening equipment. In Iraq/Afghanistan emergency funds, provided $865 million, for an Army “Rapid Response Force Protection Initiative” for up-armored Humvees, bolt on armor, armored cabs, or other related purposes. Also provided $240 million for Marine Corps vehicle hardening. In Iraq/Afghanistan emergency funds, provided $572 million for up-armored Humvees, $100 million for the Rapid Response Force Protection Initiative, $65 million for the Rapid Fielding Initiative, and $15 million to counter improvised explosive devices. Provided $9.7 billion for missile defense, $458 million below the request, and rescinded $31.5 million due to termination of a joint satellite program with Russia (called RAMOS) and $74.7 million due to restructuring of the Airborne Laser program. Provided $10.2 billion, about the amount requested, for missile defense programs. Added $80 million for the Israeli Arrow program. Agreed to terminate the U.S.-Russian RAMOS program, but allocated $5 million for a follow-on program. Added $163.5 million for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense. Cut $252 million, about half the amount requested, from kinetic energy interceptor program. Provided $10.0 billion for missile defense, cut $163 million from the kinetic energy interceptor, cut an unallocated $180 million, added $246 million for mid-course defense. Cut the Army’s request for $3.2 billion for Future Combat System development by $324 million, $79 million more than the House authorization, of which$76 million was from the non-line of sight launch system (NLOS-LS), terminating the project. Provided the full $3.2 billion requested for Army Future Combat System development. The committee specifically approved continued funding for the non-line of sight launch system (NLOS-LS). Cut $250 million from the FCS request as excessive overhead, provides $58 million for NLOS-LS. Provided $76 million to fully fund construction of a Theater Support Vessel in Army R&D accounts. Approved the $65 million requested for TSV R&D. Approved the $65 million requested for TSV R&D, rejecting the House addition. Agreed with the House authorization in trimming $248 million from the DD(X) R&D program, including $221 million to begin constructing the first ship. Approved $221 million for construction of the first DD(X) destroyer, but moved the money from R&D to procurement, and added $99 million for design of the second ship of the class, following the Senate authorization. Approved $221 million for construction of the first DD(X) destroyer, but moved the money from R&D to procurement, and added $84 million for design of the second ship. CRS-23 House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Conference Appropriations In place of DD(X) construction, the committee added $125 million in advance procurement for one additional DDG-51 destroyer to be fully funded in the FY2006 or FY2007 budgets. Approved $3.4 billion for 3 ships, as requested, but did not provide additional advance procurement funds for future ship construction. Approves $3.4 billion for 3 ships, as requested, added $50 million for upgrades, but did not provide additional advance procurement funds for ship construction. Did not agree with the House authorization cut of $107 million for construction of the first Littoral Combat Ship and, instead, added $107 million to fully fund building the first ship, cut $50 million for design of the second ship of the class. Provided $107 million in R&D, as requested, for construction of the first prototype Littoral Combat Ship, but did not add funds, as the House did, to fully fund construction. Adds $107 million to fully fund construction of the first ship, trimmed $2 million from second ship design. Eliminated $44 million requested for R&D on the LHA(R) amphibious ship program and provided no funds for procurement, rejecting the addition of $150 million for LHA(R) advance procurement recommended in the House and Senate authorization bills. Added $175 million for LHD(R) advance procurement — the House committee provided no funds, while both authorization bills approved $150 million. Adds $150 million for LHA(R). Supported procurement of 24 F/A-22 fighters, as requested. Supported procurement of 24 F/A-22 fighters, as requested — did not follow Senate authorization in cutting 2 aircraft. Supports procurement of 24 F/A-22 fighters, as requested. Provided $4.4 billion for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter R&D funding, a reduction of $240 million to reflect delays. Also prohibited obligation of $1.4 billion of the funds until DOD reports to Congress on plans to adjust the program following an independent review. Provided full funding, as requested, for Navy and Air Force development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — did not concur with House cuts due to delays. Cut $240 million due to delays. Requires a report on the program by December 15, 2004. CRS-24 House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Conference Appropriations Provided $100 million in a “Tanker Replacement Transfer Fund” available to acquire KC-767 tanker aircraft whenever the status of the program warrants acquisition. Provided $110 million for tanker aircraft replacement, but did not specify whether the funds were for KC-767s, in effect leaving the issue for authorizers to decide. Provides $100 million for tanker replacement, but leaves other issues for authorization. Objected to the Air Force failure to fully fund purchases C-17 and C-130 aircraft and shifted $159 million from C-17 upgrades to fully fund 15 aircraft, one more than requested. Added $34 million to C-17 program for maintenance training, did not address full funding issue. Adds $159 million for full funding of 15 aircraft and $34 million for training. Added $91 million for the Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) program, more than the $35 million the House and Senate authorizers added. Provided $508 million for development of the Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High), but did not add $91 million, as the Air Force had requested and the House agreed. Adds $91 million for SBIRS-High. Provided $75 million for the Space Based Radar program, $253 million below the request, effectively terminating the program, with the remaining funds to be used for alternative technologies and concepts. Provided $228 million for the Space-Based Radar program, $100 million below the request, but did not agree with House cuts that would effectively terminate the program. Provides $75 million, a cut of $253 million from the request, as in the House, effectively terminating the program. Cut $100 million from the request for $775 million for the Transformational Communications Satellite, following the House and Senate authorizations. Provided $375 million for the Transformation Communications Satellite, $400 million below the request. Provides $475 million, a cut $300 million from the request. Cut $91 million from the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) for transfer to SBIRSHigh, and, in report language, said that two contractors may not be justified. Cut $100 million Provided $511 million for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, $100 million below the request due to launch delays. Cuts $91 million. CRS-25 House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Provided $557 million for development of a replacement Marine One helicopter, $220 million below the request. Provided $557 million for development of a replacement Marine One helicopter, $220 million below the request, as in the House. Added $50 million for new bomber development, half what the House authorization added. Conference Appropriations Cuts $220 million. Adds $30 million for new bomber development. Other Key Actions Added $25 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, almost all in regular appropriations accounts except for $2.978 billion in the Iraq Freedom Fund, of which $1.978 was only for classified programs leaving $1 billion as flexible funding. Provided $25 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, almost in regular appropriations accounts subject to normal procedures requiring congressional approval of transfers above certain thresholds, with $2.5 billion in the flexible Iraq Freedom Fund. Provides $25 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, most in regular appropriations In a manager’s amendment in full committee markup, added $685 million to the emergency funding for Iraq for State Department operations and $95 million in emergency funds for famine relief and refugee assistance in Sudan and Chad. Approved a floor amendment to provide $95 million for assistance to refugees in Sudan and Chad. Adds $685 million for State Department operations in Iraq, $95 million for assistance to refugees in Sudan and Chad, $500 million for fire fighting, $50 million for security at the party conventions, and $26 million for a federal judiciary shortfall Added $800 million, close to amounts approved in prior years, for unrequested, earmarked medical R&D and related projects, including breast cancer and prostate cancer research. Added about $650 million for earmarked medical R&D and related programs, of which $200 million for cancer research, including peer-reviewed breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancer research, was provided in a single block, with the Defense Department directed to allocate the funds. Adds about $1 billion for earmarked medical R&D and related programs, most as in the House bill and as in the past, earmarked for particular programs. accounts, with $3.8 billion in the flexible Iraq Freedom Fund, of which $1.8 billion is for classified programs, leaving $2 billion for unforseen expenses. CRS-26 House Appropriations Senate Appropriations Agrees to the House provision. Approved a measure setting conditions on the conversion of work involving more than 10 employees to private contractors, including full competition, that savings exceed the lesser of 10% or $10 million, and that the contractor not receive an advantage due to health insurance costs. Cut operation and maintenance accounts by $415 million to reflect under-obligation of O&M funds in prior years, by $335 million for assumed efficiencies in administrative and related activities; by $86 million to eliminate growth above inflation in requested funds for base operations support, by $92 million for overstated civilian pay requirements, by $177 million to reflect a slower rate than estimated in converting jobs from uniformed positions to civilian ones, by $316 million in working capital funds to reflect cash balances and purchases that will not be necessary, by $967 million of excess cash balances in the transportation working capital fund, by $300 million for overstated requirements for outside contracts, by $100 million for unnecessary payments to contractors for taxes, and by $55 million for overestimated civilian separation incentives. Conference Appropriations Cut operation and maintenance accounts by $478 million to reflect the planned end of U.S. operations in Bosnia in December 2004, by $92 million for overstated civilian pay requirements, by $197 million due to slower rates of converting military to civilian jobs and fewer civilian buyouts, and by $347 million for costs of environmental programs. Cuts operation and maintenance accounts by $478 million for operations in Bosnia, by $92 million for overstated civilian pay requirements, by $156 million for slower military to civilian conversions, and by $235 million as an unallocated cut in administration and servicewide activities. CRS-27 Congressional Committee and Floor Action House Defense Authorization Markup The House marked up its version of the defense authorization bill on May 12. Some highlights of the committee-reported bill include the following. Military Personnel End-Strength, Pay, and Benefits. ! Increased statutory end-strength for the Army by 10,000 troops each year from FY2005 through FY2007 and for the Marine Corps by 3,000 troops each year through FY2007. ! Approved the requested pay raise of 3.5% for uniformed personnel. ! Approved a measure to increase annuities for age 62-and-older survivors of military retirees from 35% of retired pay to 55% in increments through FY2008. ! Eliminated a statutory limit on funding for military housing privatization. ! Permanently increased the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month and increased Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month. Also increased hardship duty pay, which may be provided to troops outside of combat zones, from $300 to $750 per month. ! Established a program to replace lost income of reservists mobilized for extended periods up to $3000 per month. ! Permanently extended to all hospitalized personnel a provision in the FY2004 defense appropriations act (P.L. 108-283) that eliminated a requirement that military personnel pay for meals while hospitalized for combat-related injuries. ! Directed the Defense Department to establish a three-year demonstration program that would permit non-deployed reservists not eligible for employer-sponsored health benefits to sign up for health insurance through the military-run TRICARE program. ! Required separate campaign medals for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. ! Directed the Secretary of Defense to submit proposed changes in the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding sexual assaults. Also extended the term of a task force on sexual assaults. CRS-28 Major Weapons Programs. ! Provided $10.0 billion for missile defense programs, $177 million below the request, cut funding for kinetic interceptor development by $200 million, and added $90 million for additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles. ! Required the Air Force to enter into a multi-year contract to acquire Boeing KC-767A tanker aircraft. Also required that a new contract be negotiated after June 1, 2004, and that an independent panel review the contract terms. ! Approved the requested shift of funds from Comanche helicopter development to other Army aviation and related programs. ! Approved $2.9 billion, as requested, for 42 F/A-18E/F aircraft. ! Approved $4.6 billion, as requested, for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development. ! Added $100 million to begin development of a next-generation bomber. ! Added $118 million to procure 35 UH-60 Army helicopters, rather than the 27 requested. ! Added $150 million as an initial increment for construction of a new LHD(R) amphibious ship. ! Provided about the requested amounts to procure three DDG-51 destroyers, one Virginia-class attack submarine, one LPD-17 amphibious ship, and two T-AKE auxiliary ships. ! Approved funds for continued development of the DD(X) destroyer and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) but eliminated $221 million from the DD(X) program and $107 million from the LCS budget to begin constructing the first of each class of ships. ! Adopted an amendment in the committee markup to prohibit leasing of support ships from foreign providers for more than one year. Other Key Actions. ! Added substantial funds for force protection and related programs, including $705 million for up-armored Humvees, $332 million for add-on armor for Humvees and trucks, $421 million for body armor, and $517 million for the Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative. Also passed a separate measure, H.R. 4323, to provide statutory authority to the Secretary of Defense to procure equipment needed for CRS-29 combatant commands rapidly by waiving normal acquisition requirements. ! Approved a provision that would require the Defense Department to submit several reports related to military basing requirements by March of 2006 and only then permit a new round of military base closures no sooner than 2007. ! Approved a measure that would require that foreign countries receive no more in trade offsets as a percentage of the value of a contract for purchasing U.S. military equipment than the percentage of domestic content required for U.S.-purchased military equipment. ! Approved one provision to tighten restrictions on transfer of technology with potential military utility to China and another to expand the number of Chinese firms defined as a “military company” to which sales are restricted. ! Approved an amendment offered in committee mark-up to strengthen requirements that Defense Department civilian employees be allowed to compete for operations that otherwise would be outsourced. ! Provided $409 million, as requested, for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. ! Approved funding as requested for Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator R&D and for other research on new nuclear weapons. ! Included a provision requiring the Treasury Department, rather than the Defense Department, to make annual payments to the military retirement fund for the costs of providing TRICARE health insurance to over-65 military retirees beginning in FY2006. This is an effort to free up an additional $11-12 billion for defense programs by shifting costs to the non-defense side of the budget. House Defense Authorization Floor Action On Tuesday, May 18, the House Rules Committee met to consider proposed amendments to H.R. 4200 and to decide which to allow for debate on the House floor. The committee reported a rule (H.Res. 648) on May 19, as debate on the bill was scheduled to begin. Several leading Democrats, including Representative Martin Frost, the ranking member of the Rules Committee, Representative Ike Skelton, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, and Representative John Spratt, the second ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, opposed the rule because it did not make in order several proposed amendments. CRS-30 Amendments Not Made in Order. All of the senior Democrats who opposed the rule complained, in particular, that the rule did not make in order an amendment proposed by Representative Spratt to transfer $414.4 million from specified missile defense programs to provide targeted military pay raises, Marine Corp force protection measures, and improvements to the Patriot PAC-3 missile defense system. Other amendments not made in order by the rule included ! An amendment by Representative Loretta Sanchez to make penalties for sexual abuse crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice consistent with penalties under the U.S. Code. ! An amendment by Representative Jane Harman to limit missile defense funding to the FY2004 level, which is about $1.2 billion below the FY2005 request, to require operational testing before missile defense systems are deployed, and to authorize $500 million for port security; ! An amendment by Representative John Tierney to require operational testing before deploying missile defense systems; ! An amendment by Representative Jim Cooper to authorize $67.7 billion in supplemental appropriations for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; and ! An amendment by Representative Ed Markey to delete $29.8 million requested in the Department of Energy for a new facility to produce plutonium pits for nuclear weapons. ! An amendment by Representative Jim Matheson congressional authority for renewed nuclear testing. ! An amendment by Representative Adam Schiff to add $200 million to Department of Energy non-proliferation programs. ! An amendment by Representative Norm Dicks also to require the Defense Department to follow a formal process in making new rules for civilian personnel in DOD, to consult unions about the rules, and to allow congressional review. ! An amendment by Representatives Jay Inslee and Chris Van Hollen to provide specified civil service protections for civilian defense employees. ! An amendment by Representative Joel Hefley, to provide a right of appeal and some other protections to groups of as few as 10 federal employees whose jobs are being studied for privatization. to require CRS-31 ! An amendment by Representative Tom Lantos to require federal agencies to make up lost wages of employees who are military reservists mobilized for service, and to establish a cost-sharing plan with state and local governments to eliminate losses for state and local government employees. ! An amendment by Representative Jose Serrano to provide health screening for military personnel exposed to depleted uranium. Amendments Agreed To. Of the amendments made in order, selected amendments that the House agreed to include ! An amendment by Representative Virgil Goode to allow military personnel to assist in border protection (231-191); ! An amendment by Representative Duncan Hunter expressing the sense of Congress concerning the abuse of persons in custody in Iraq (416-4); ! An amendment by Representative Kendrick Meek to require the Secretary of Defense to identify mission-critical information that should be transmitted immediately from the field to senior Defense Department officials and to set up mechanisms to transmit such information; ! An amendment by Representative Alcee Hastings that expresses the sense of Congress that no funds available to any department or agency of the United States government may be used to provide assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq unless the President certifies to Congress that the United States has entered into an agreement with the Iraqi Governing Council or a transitional government in Iraq under which Iraq agrees that it will expend a significant portion of its revenues generated from oil production for reconstruction; ! An amendment by Representative Curt Weldon expressing the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should assist the Iraqi government in destroying the Abu Ghraib prison and replacing it with a modern detention facility (308-114); ! An amendment by Representative Ike Skelton on behalf of Representative Louise Slaughter and others, requiring the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive policy for the Department of Defense on the prevention of and response to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces and requiring DOD to take related measures to address sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces (410-0); CRS-32 ! An amendment by Representative Norm Dicks requiring the Air Force to enter into a contract to acquire KC-767 tanker aircraft by March 1, 2005 (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Alcee Hastings to add $100 million for Department of Energy cleanup (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Donald Manzullo to require the job creation in the United States be a factor in determining contract awards (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Curt Weldon to give rural firefighting agencies priority in acquiring excess defense property (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Henry Brown to give state and local health agencies priority in acquiring excess defense property (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! A second amendment by Representative Henry Brown to require the Secretary of Defense to consider establishing a joint medical care facility with the Veteran’s Administration when requesting funds for health facility construction (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Brian Baird requiring the Defense Department to study and issue a report to Congress on mental health services available to U.S. military personal deployed to combat theaters (in Hunter en bloc amendment); ! An amendment by Representative Zach Wamp making changes to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program; and ! An amendment by Representative Jim Ryun requiring the Secretary of Defense to initiate senior officer official educational programs with Taiwan (290-132). Amendments and Motion to Recommit Rejected. Of the amendments made in order under the rule, the House rejected ! An amendment by Representative Susan Davis to repeal the prohibition on servicewomen and female military dependents receiving abortions, even when paid for privately, at overseas military hospitals (202-221); ! An amendment by Representative Mark Kennedy to delete the provision in the House committee bill that would delay military base closures until 2007 (162-259); and CRS-33 ! An amendment by Representative Ellen Tauscher to reduce funds for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator nuclear warhead and other new nuclear weapons R&D by $36.6 million, the total amount requested, and to transfer the funds to intelligence programs and conventional weapons to defeat hardened and deeply buried targets (204-214). The House also rejected by a vote of 202-224 a motion to recommit offered by Representative Henry Waxman. The motion instructed the Armed Services Committee to report back a bill including a sense of the Congress statement that the House should appoint a select committee to investigate the treatment of detainees held in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, or any other operation related to the Global War on Terrorism. Senate Defense Authorization Markup The Senate Armed Services Committee finished marking up its version of the FY2005 defense authorization bill (S. 4200) on May 6. Some highlights of the committee-reported version of the bill include Military Personnel End-Strength, Pay, and Benefits. ! Gave the Secretary of Defense authority to increase Army active duty end-strength by up to 30,000 through FY2009. The committee did not, however, increase permanent statutory end-strength. ! Approved the requested pay raise of 3.5% for uniformed personnel. ! Increased the Family Separation Allowance from $100 to $250 per month and increased Imminent Danger Pay from $150 to $225 per month. These measures make permanent increases that Congress approved last year in the FY2003 and FY2004 Iraq supplemental appropriations bills. ! Established a two-year demonstration program to allow nondeployed military reservists not eligible for employer-sponsored heath insurance to sign up for health insurance through the militaryrun TRICARE program. ! Also established a new health insurance program, called TRICARE Reserve Select, under which reservists and their dependents may sign up for health insurance through TRICARE, with employees paying 28% of the cost, as in the federal civilian health program, if employers agree to cover the remaining cost, or 100% if employers do not cover part of the cost. ! Also made permanent a provision in the FY2004 Iraq supplemental that temporarily gave reservists earlier eligibility for pre-deployment medical care. CRS-34 ! Added $400 million to the request for reserve medical care. ! Established a commission on the National Guard and Reserves. ! Required separate campaign medals for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. ! Extended to all hospitalized personnel a provision in the FY2004 defense appropriations bill that eliminated a requirement that military personnel pay for meals while hospitalized for combatrelated injuries. ! Directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a uniform policy on sexual assault. Major Weapons Programs. ! Approved $10.2 billion, approximately the amount requested, for missile defense programs, though the committee trimmed funds for kinetic interceptor development and added funds for ground-based mid-course defense and for additional Patriot PAC-3 missiles. ! Added $35 million for cost overruns on the Space Based Infrared System-High early warning satellite and $35 million for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency communication satellite. ! Approved the requested shift of funds from Comanche helicopter development to other Army aviation and related programs. ! Approved the requested $905 million for Stryker medium armored vehicle procurement. ! Approved the requested $3.2 billion for Army Future Combat System development. ! Approved requested funds for three DDG-51 destroyers, one Virginia-class submarine, one LPD-17 amphibious ship, and two T-AKE auxiliary ships. ! Added $150 million as the first increment of funding for procurement of the first of the new LHA(R)-class of amphibious assault ships. ! Approved $1.5 billion, as requested, for DD(X) destroyer development, including $221 million in the R&D accounts for design and the start of production of the first ship of the class, and added $99.4 million to accelerate design of the second ship. CRS-35 ! Approved $1.5 billion, as requested for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) development, including $107 million for design and the start of production of the first ship of the class. ! Authorized $2.9 billion for 42 Navy/Marine F/A-18E/F aircraft, as requested. ! Approved $3.6 billion for F-35 Joint Strike fighter development, adding $15 million for the short-takeoff variant. ! Approved $3.4 billion for 22 F/A-22 fighters, a reduction of $280 million and 2 aircraft from the request. ! Authorized $708 million, as requested, for the Joint Unmanned Combat Air vehicles program. Other Key Actions. ! Added substantial amounts for force protection and related measures, including $925 million for up-armored Humvees and add-on armor (the Administration requested $163 million for 818 up-armored Humvees), $603 million for force protection gear and combat clothing, and $107 million for the Army Rapid Fielding Initiative (designed to deploy high priority items rapidly to the soldiers in the field) and for Army and Marine individual equipment. ! Provided $11 billion, an increase of $445 million over the request, for basic and applied research. ! Approved $409 million, as requested, for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program that finances programs to safeguard or eliminate weapons in the former Soviet Union. Also allowed funding for a chemical demilitarization plant in Russia about which there has been a longstanding disagreement between the House and Senate. ! Approved $1.3 billion, as requested, for Department of Energy nonproliferation programs. ! Approved requested funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and for other nuclear weapons R&D. ! Approved a potentially controversial legislative measure regarding handling of radioactive waste at the Savannah River nuclear plant. ! Agreed to an Administration request to increase a legislative cap on U.S. military personnel in Colombia from 400 to 800 and to increase the cap on contractors from 400 to 600. CRS-36 Senate Defense Authorization Floor Action The Senate began floor action on S. 2400 on May 17, when it approved an amendment by Senator Hutchison to authorized medical and dental care for military academy cadets and midshipmen. Through the rest of that week, the Senate disposed of only a few more amendments, in part because members of the Armed Services Committee were involved in hearings on the Iraq prison abuse scandal. The Senate resumed debate on June 2. The Senate continued floor debate on the bill the weeks of June 14 and June 21, picking up its pace, adopting 36 amendments and rejecting 2, with 34 amendments pending as of June 23. On June 22, a cloture motion was filed with a vote expected on June 24 about whether to cut off debate. Late on June 23, however, the Senate passed the bill by 97 to 0. Amendments Agreed To. The Senate cleared a number of technical amendments that were agreed to by both sides and also agreed to an amendment by Senators John Warner and Ted Stevens to authorize $25 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Selected substantive measures agreed to included amendments ! By Senator Pete Domenici, S.Amdt. 3192, to accelerate nonproliferation measures aimed at removing and safeguarding fissile materials abroad (May 19, voice vote); ! By Senator Robert Byrd, S.Amdt. 3212, to increase the authorized size of the defense acquisition work force by 15% over the next three years (May 19, voice vote); ! By Senators Tom Daschle and Lindsey Graham, S.Amdt. 3258, to allow all non-deployed reservists to receive health insurance for themselves and their dependents through the military TRICARE program, with the federal government paying the employer share of costs (June 2, 70-25); ! By Senators John Warner, Carl Levin, and Ted Stevens, S.Amdt. 3260, to authorize $25 billion in contingent emergency funds for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan ( June 2, 95-0); ! By Senator Ron Wyden, S.Amdt. 3305, to require that federal employees, rather than contractor personnel, oversee acquisition contracts (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Christopher Dodd, S.Amdt. 3312, to provide reimbursements for protective, safety, or health equipment purchased by or on behalf of service members deployed in connection with Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom (June 14, 91-0); ! By Senators Edward Kennedy and Saxby Chambliss, S.Amdt. 3257, to require public-private competitions and establish other regulations CRS-37 governing outsourcing of Defense Department functions with more than 10 civilian employees (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senators Susan Collins and Carl Levin, S.Amdt. 3224, to provide civilian personnel with bid protest rights in outsourcing competitions (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senator John Warner Amendment, S.Amdt. 3432, to name the bill in honor of Ronald W. Reagan (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Tom Harkin S.Amdt. 3316, expressing the sense of the Senate that Armed Forces Radio and Television Service programming should be balanced (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Harry Reid, S.Amdt. 3307, to require that any plan for compensation to individuals in military prisons in Iraq include provisions for compensation to former prisoners of war held by the regime of Saddam Hussein (June 14, unanimous consent); ! By Senators Gordon Smith and Edward Kennedy, S.Amdt. 3183, to provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes, including crimes against gays (approved June 15, 65-33); ! By Senator Richard Durbin, S.Amdt. 3386, to affirm that the United States may not engage in torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment (approved June 16, voice vote); ! By Senators Jeff Sessions and Charles Schumer, S.Amdt. 3372, to extend military extraterritorial jurisdiction to cover not only personnel and contractor personnel of the Department of Defense, but also personnel and contractor personnel of any federal agency or provisional authority supporting the mission of the Department of Defense overseas (approved June 16, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Patty Murray, S.Amdt. 3427, to facilitate the availability of child care for the children of members of the Armed Forces on active duty in connection with Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom (approved June 17, voice vote); ! By Senator John Warner, a second degree amendment, S.Amdt. 3453, to require the Secretary of Defense to prescribe and apply criteria for operationally realistic testing of fieldable prototypes developed under the ballistic missile defense program — in adopting the Warner amendment the Senate rejected an to an amendment by Senator Jack Reed, S.Amdt. 3354, to require the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to prescribe and oversee operational tests (approved, June 17, 55-44); CRS-38 ! By Senator Jack Reed, S.Amdt. 3352, to increase Army active duty end-strength for FY2005 by 20,000 to 502,400 (approved June 17, 93-4); ! By Senator Tom Daschle, S.Amdt. 3202, to provide relief for mobilized military reservists from certain federal agricultural loan obligations (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senators John Ensign, Lindsey Graham, and Saxby Chambliss, S.Amdt. 3440, to protect documents relating to the United Nations Oil for Food program with Iraq and to require a GAO report on the program (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senators Hilary Clinton and James Talent, S.Amdt. 3163, to improve medical tracking and pre-deployment medical treatment of reservists (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Diane Feinstein, S.Amdt. 3172, to state the sense of the Senate that perchlorate contamination is a health problem (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Christopher Bond, S.Amdt. 3245, to require two reports on operation of the Federal Voting Assistance Program and the military postal system together with certain actions to improve the military postal system (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Ben Campbell, S.Amdt. 3237, to equalize procedures applied to Army personnel in Korea with procedures applied elsewhere in awarding the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge (approved June 17, unanimous consent); and ! By Senator Bill Nelson, S.Amdt. 3279, to require a report on any relationships between terrorist organizations based in Colombia and foreign governments and organizations (approved June 17, unanimous consent); ! By Senators Durbin, Mikulski, Landrieu, Murray, Dayton, and Corzine, S.Amdt. 3196, to ensure reservists who are federal employees will not lose pay if mobilized for active duty (approved June 18, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Reid, S.Amdt. 3297 as modified, to eliminate the phasein of concurrent receipt for those veterans with a disability rating of 100% that Congress established last year (approved June 18, unanimous consent); ! By Senator Warner, S.Amdt. 3458 as modified, to express sense of Congress to continue current policy that there be no media coverage of the return to the United States of remains of deceased service members (approved June 21, 52 to 38); CRS-39 ! By Senator Brownback, S.Amdt. 3464, to increase penalties tenfold for indecent language broadcast on television or radio (approved June 22, 99-1);3 ! By Senator Dorgan, S.Amdt. 3235, to repeal FCC regulations published in 2003 that generally loosened ownership restrictions for television and radio media companies; amendment retains current 39% limit on the size of the national audience that was adopted in P.L. 108-199 (FY2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act) (approved June 22);4 ! By Senator Reid (for Hollings), S.Amdt. 3466, to protect children from violent programming (approved June 22); ! By Senator Warner (for McCain), S.Amdt. 3461, to allow the Secretary of Defense to exempt from Buy American restrictions seven countries who have “declaration of principles” agreements with the United States regarding reciprocal procurement of defense items (approved June 22, 54-46); ! By Senator Levin (for Boxer), S.Amdt. 3367, to exempt abortions of pregnancies due to rape or incest from the prohibition against using DOD funds (part of en bloc amendments approved on June 22); ! By Senator Warner (for McCain), S.Amdt. 3319, to repeal several reporting requirements on identifying and assessing essential items in the defense industrial base that were adopted in last year’s defense authorization act (part of en bloc amendments approved on June 22); ! By Senator Warner (for McCain), S.Amdt. 3441, to prohibit acquisition of Air Force tanker refueling aircraft until 60 days after currently required studies are completed and to require the Secretary of Defense to certify that acquisition complies with all applicable laws, Office of Management circulars, and regulations (part of en bloc amendments approved on June 22); ! By Senator James Inhofe, S.Amdt. 3198, to increase from $150 million to $250 million the amount of assistance the United States may provide to Iraqi and Afghan military and security forces (part of en bloc amendments approved on June 22); 3 For more detail, see CRS Report RL31925, Regulation of Broadcast Indecency: Background and Legal Analysis by Angie Welborn and (name redacted). 4 For more detail, see CRS Report RL31925, FCC Media Ownership Rules: Issues for Congress by (name redacted); see also, BNA, Daily Report for Executives, “Senate Gets Tough on Media Ownership, Indecency, but Prospects Dim in Conference.” CRS-40 ! By Senators Clinton, Leahy, and Kennedy, S.Amdt. 3204, to require a Comptroller General report on closure of Department of Defense dependent elementary and secondary schools and commissary stores. (part of en bloc amendments approved on June 22); ! By Senator Bond, S.Amdt. 3384, as modified, to include certain former nuclear weapons workers in a group receiving benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program and to provide for disposal of excess stocks (agreed to on June 23); ! By Senator Warner (for McConnell), S.Amdt. 3472, to require a report on the stabilization of Iraq , including efforts to enlist the support of other nations (approved by a vote of 71 to 27 on June 23); ! By Senators Landrieu and Snowe, S.Amdt. 3315 as modified, to phase in increases in survivor benefits over 3½ years (agreed to on June 23); ! By Senator Bingaman, S.Amdt. 3459 as modified, to require reports on detainment of foreign nationals held by DOD for more than 45 (agreed to on June 23); ! By Senator Daschle, S.Amdt. 3468 to S.Amdt. 3409, to assure funding increases for veterans health care sufficient to cover increases in population and inflation (agreed to on June 23 after a motion to waive a point of order against S.Amdt. 3409 was rejected by a vote of 49-49); and ! By Senator Reid (for Leahy), S.Amdt. 3387, stating that it is U.S. policy that foreign prisoners be treated according to standards the United States would regard as legal if applied by an enemy against American prisoners, that U.S. officials are bound by laws against torture and abuse, and that cases against prisoners at Guantanamo be pursued expeditiously and requiring that the Administration provide various information to Congress, including a schedule for military commissions at Guantanamo, all International Red Cross reports regarding treatment of prisoners in current operations, and a report setting forth all approved interrogation techniques (motion to table failed June 23, 45-50, and amendment was subsequently agreed to). Amendments Rejected. The most high-profile debate in the Senate’s first week of action on the authorization was about an amendment by Senators Trent Lott, Byron Dorgan, and others to delay domestic military base closures by two years that the Senate narrowly rejected. Another major debate concerned a provision in the bill to allow nuclear waste at the Savannah River nuclear plant in South Carolina to be redefined as lowlevel waste that could be stored indefinitely on site, but the Senate rejected an amendment by Senator Maria Cantwell to delete provisions backed by the Department of Energy from the bill. A key debate the week of June 14 was over a CRS-41 proposal by Senators Edward Kennedy and Diane Feinstein to eliminate funds for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator nuclear warhead and other new nuclear weapons, which the Senate also rejected. Amendments rejected include ! An amendment by Senators Trent Lott, Byron Dorgan, Olympia Snowe, Diane Feinstein, Thad Cochran, and Tom Daschle, S.Amdt. 3158, to delay by at least two years the next round of domestic military base closures, to permit only bases abroad to be closed in 2005, and to provide that Congress must renew authority for base closures to occur in 2007 by approving a joint resolution to be considered under expedited procedures (rejected May 18, 47-49). ! An amendment by Senator Frank Lautenberg and others, S.Amdt. 3151, to strengthen measures designed to prevent U.S.-based companies from engaging in business with nations found to sponsor international terrorism (rejected May 19, 49-50); ! An amendment by Senators John Kyl and John Coryn, S.Amdt. 3191, to raise funds for defense programs by imposing an excise tax on lawyers fees exceeding $20,000 per hour in tobacco cases (rejected May 19, 39-62); ! An amendment by Senator Maria Cantwell, S.Amdt 3261, to eliminate a provision in the committee version of the bill that would allow the Department of Energy to reclassify certain waste at the Savannah River, South Carolina, nuclear weapons production plant as low-level waste that can be stored indefinitely on-site (not agreed to June 3, 48-48); ! An amendment by Senators Edward Kennedy and Diane Feinstein, S.Amdt. 3263, to prohibit the use of funds for new nuclear weapons development under the Stockpile Services Advanced Concepts Initiative or for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) (rejected June 15, 42-55); ! By Senator Christopher Dodd, S.Amdt. 3313, to prohibit the use of contractors to seek intelligence from military detainees and to establish limitations on the transfer of custody of prisoners of the Department of Defense (tabled June 16, 54-43); ! By Senator Patrick Leahy, S.Amdt. 3292, to stiffen penalties against profiteering and fraud in contracts for military operations support, post-war relief, or reconstruction (rejected June 16, 46-52); ! By Senator Barbara Boxer, S.Amdt. 3368, to allow deployment of the ground-based midcourse defense element of the national ballistic missile defense system only after the mission-related capabilities of CRS-42 the system have been confirmed by operationally realistic testing (rejected June 17, 42-57); ! ! By Senator Jack Reed, S.Amdt. 3354, to require the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to prescribe and oversee operational tests of ballistic missile defense systems (rejected when the Senate agreed to the Warner 2nd degree substitute, June 17, 55-44); and By Senator Joseph Biden, S.Amdt. 3379, to provide funds for the security and stabilization of Iraq by suspending a portion of the reduction in the highest income tax rate for individual taxpayers (rejected June 17, 44-53). ! By Senator Lautenberg. S.Amdt. 3291, to require that the Secretary of the Defense develop a protocol to permit media coverage of the return of remains of service members who die overseas (rejected June 21, 39 to 54); ! By Senator Levin, S.Amdt. 3338, re-allocate funds from Groundbased Midcourse interceptors in the missile defense program to nuclear nonproliferation activities in the Department of Energy’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative program, and to anti-terrorism/ force protection programs (rejected June 22, 44 to 56); ! By Senator Dayton, S.Amdt. 3197, to restore current Buy American restrictions by deleting Sections 842 and 843 in the reported version of the bill that had allowed the Secretary of Defense to exempt some 21 countries who had memorandums of understanding with the United States about defense trade (rendered moot June 22 by passage of the Warner (McCain) S.Amdt. 3461); ! By Senator Levin (for Kennedy), S.Amdt. 3377, to require reports on the efforts of the President to stabilize Iraq and relieve the burden on members of the Armed Forces of the United States deployed in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region (rejected June 23, 48-50); ! By Senator Reed, S.Amdt. 3353, to limit the obligation and expenditure of funds for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program pending the submission of a report on operational test and evaluation (rejected June 23, 45-53); ! By Senator Levin (for Byrd), S.Amdt. 3423, to reduce authority provided in the committee bill for U.S. military personnel in Colombia from 800 to 500 and for contractor personnel from 600 to 500 (rejected June 23, 40-58); ! By Senators Leahy and Corzine, S.Amdt. 3485 (to S.Amdt. 3387), to direct the Attorney General to submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate all documents in the possession of the Department of Justice relating to the treatment and interrogation of CRS-43 individuals held in the custody of the United States (rejected June 23, 46-50); ! By Senator Levin (for Corzine), S.Amdt. 3303, to reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for nonregular service from 60 to 55 (rejected when a motion to waive a point of order that the measure violated provisions of the Budget Act by increasing mandatory spending was not upheld June 23, 49-49); and ! By Senator Reid (for Daschle), S.Amdt. 3409, to assure that funding is provided for veterans health care each fiscal year to cover increases in population and inflation (rejected when a motion to waive a point of order that the measure violated provisions of the Budget Act by increasing mandatory spending was not upheld June 23, 49-48). House Defense Appropriations Markup The House Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the FY2005 defense authorization bill on June 16 and reported H.R. 4613 on June 18, 2004 (H.Rept. 108-553). Some highlights of the committee-reported version of the bill include the following. Iraq and Afghanistan Costs. ! The committee provided $25 billion to cover part of the costs of operations and Afghanistan — the committee would make the money available on enactment of the bill, so some of the funds could be used to cover costs in FY2004 as well as FY2005. The committee did not agree to the Administration request to provide all of the funds in a flexible account that would allow the Secretary of Defense to transfer money to activities without prior congressional approval. The committee also required quarterly reports on the use of the funds. Military Personnel End-Strength, Pay, and Benefits. ! Provided funding for a military pay raise of 3.5% and for housing allowances and other benefits as approved in the House authorization. ! Within the $25 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, included funds for Army and Marine Corps end-strength increases as approved in the House authorization. ! Cut $499.7 million from military personnel accounts to reflect perennial underexecution of military personnel programs in prior years, as reported by the General Accounting Office. CRS-44 Major Weapons Programs. ! Added $2.2 billion for what the committee describes as an initiative to “recapitalize” Army and Marine Corps ground forces. The increases included $950 million, doubling the amount requested, to procure Stryker armored personnel carriers and associated equipment sufficient to stand-up an additional Stryker brigade, $350 million for other armored combat vehicles, $503 million for helicopters, $390 million for trucks and other support vehicles, and $52 million for the ammunition production base. ! Provided $9.7 billion for missile defense, $458 million below the request. The committee indicated overall support for the program, but said that the remaining funds provide a sufficient increase over last year’s program. The committee also rescinded $31.5 million due to termination of a joint satellite program with Russia (called RAMOS) and $74.7 million due to restructuring of the Airborne Laser program. ! Cut the Army’s request for $3.2 billion for Future Combat System development by $324 million, $79 million more than the House authorization. Most of the reduction was in what the committee described as management overhead, but the committee also cut $76 million from the non-line of sight launch system (NLOS-LS), terminating the project. The committee continued full funding for the non-line of sight cannon (NLOS-C) program, however. ! Provided $165 million, $76 million more than requested, to fully fund construction of a Theater Support Vessel in Army R&D accounts. ! Agreed with the House authorization in trimming $248 million from the DD(X) R&D program, including funds to begin constructing the first ship. ! In place of DD(X) construction, the committee added $125 million in advance procurement for one additional DDG-51 destroyer to be fully funded in the FY2006 or FY2007 budgets. ! Did not agree with the House authorization cut of $107 million for construction of the first Littoral Combat Ship. Instead, the committee added $107 million to the program to fully fund the cost of building the first ship, though it cut $50 million for design of the second ship of the class, saying it was redundant. ! Eliminated $44 million requested for R&D on the LHA(R) amphibious ship program and provided no funds for procurement, rejecting the addition of $150 million for LHA(R) advance procurement recommended in the House and Senate authorization bills. CRS-45 ! Supported procurement of 24 F/A-22 fighters, as requested. ! Provided $4.4 billion for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter R&D funding, a reduction of $240 million to reflect delays that are anticipated in view of problems in controlling aircraft weight. Also prohibited obligation of $1.4 billion of the funds until DOD reports to Congress on plans to adjust the program following an independent review. ! Objected strongly to provisions in multi-year procurement contracts the Air Force negotiated to purchase C-17 and C-130 aircraft, saying that they violate rules requiring full funding of the total cost of useable end-items of equipment.5 The committee revised requirements in the annual appropriations bill governing multi-year procurement and shifted $159 million from C-17 upgrades to fully fund 15 aircraft, one more than requested. ! Provided $100 million in a “Tanker Replacement Transfer Fund” available to acquire KC-767 tanker aircraft whenever the status of the program warrants acquisition. ! Added $91 million for the Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) program, more than the $35 million the House and Senate authorizers added. Agreed, with minor variations, to cuts the authorizers made in the Transformational Communications Satellite and the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). In report language, the committee said that two contractors for the EELV may not be justified. ! Provided $75 million for the Space Based Radar program, $253 million below the request, effectively terminating the program, with the remaining funds to be used for alternative technologies and concepts. ! Added $50 million for new bomber development, half what the House authorization added. Other Key Actions. ! 5 Added $900 million, close to amounts approved in prior years, for unrequested, earmarked medical R&D projects, including breast cancer and prostate cancer research. For an extensive discussion of recent debates over “full funding” versus “incremental funding, with historical background on the full funding requirement, see CRS Report RL31404, Defense Procurement: Full Funding Policy — Background, Issues, and Options for Congress, by Ronald O’Rourke and (name redacted). CRS-46 ! Added $500 million in operation and maintenance accounts to redress shortfalls identified by the military services in short-term, readiness-related areas. ! Cut operation and maintenance accounts by $415 million to reflect under-obligation of O&M funds in prior years, by $335 million for assumed efficiencies in administrative and related activities; by $86 million to eliminate growth above inflation in requested funds for base operations support, by $92 million for overstated civilian pay r [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3ARL32305. Public record. Not legal advice.