Defense Spending: The National Defense Authorization Act and Military Budget

This report examines the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) process and the defense budget, including the Department of Defense base budget, overseas contingency operations funding, and military construction appropriations. It describes the roles of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees.

The report analyzes major defense acquisition programs, military personnel costs, readiness funding, and research and development investments. It discusses the Budget Control Act caps and their impact on defense spending, as well as the relationship between authorizing and appropriating legislation.

Policy considerations include the appropriate level of defense spending relative to national security threats, military compensation and benefits reform, acquisition reform initiatives, the nuclear weapons modernization program, and the strategic implications of emerging technologies including hypersonic weapons, autonomous systems, and space-based capabilities.