Democrats and Republicans in Congress are still very divided on how much money is required to make sure the military is getting what it needs for national security.
Last week, the U.S. House passed the $1.15 trillion Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 213 to 207.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, believes the historic amount of defense spending is needed to keep up with the latest advancements in military technology.
Rogers praised the legislation Friday on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal.”
“This is sending a word to the markets and to businesses across the country that there’s a quarter of a trillion dollars in new money going into the Defense Department to pay for these new entrants that we’re trying to get to come in to build more stuff and get us to a healthier position,” Rogers said.
The congressman is also supportive of more defense spending in a separate reconciliation bill being pushed by Republican leaders.
“Still want the reconciliation money,” Rogers said, “the one-time $350 billion dollars, to give us a jump start because we’re way behind the curve on where we need to be, and that’s what that money’s for. But yes, that’s going to be a heavy lift.”
While the NDAA is usually passed on a bipartisan basis, a majority of House Democrats strongly condemned the bill as too expensive.
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) also spoke on “Capitol Journal” about why he decided to vote against the package.
“When we look at the amount of money that this bill is requesting on behalf of the administration, it is outrageous. It is outrageous,” Figures told host Todd Stacy. “It is the largest amount that we have ever seen requested by far, and that’s in addition to money that’s already you know at their disposal. And so we have a significant problem with that, especially in the midst of a war.”
The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
