Smith Statement on Proposal to Increase Discretionary Topline for Defense

Press Release

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the unveiling of a proposed amendment to H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), that would increase the discretionary topline for U.S. defense spending by $37.0 billion.

"President Biden's budget request for the Department of Defense includes sufficient funds to meet the defense challenges facing our country. The Department needs greater competition across the defense industrial base, fewer requirements that drive costly inefficiencies, and a disciplined approach to supporting clear strategic priorities for our defense -- all of which will be addressed in the FY23 NDAA. The Department needs tough decisions and rigorous oversight from Congress. More money isn't necessarily the answer.

"The American people deserve an open and candid debate among elected representatives in Congress about our country's defense priorities and the resources required to achieve them. The Committee has discussed these issues before, and I welcome the opportunity for us to discuss them again as we craft the NDAA this year. I have enormous respect for Representative Golden and my other colleagues who have offered this proposal, but I simply disagree with them on this issue.

"President Biden's budget request will meet our country's defense challenges, and the Department does not need more than it asked for. I have always believed that the Department needs more discipline, not more money, and I look forward to making that argument once again during a robust debate."

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