Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41), alongside colleagues from the House Appropriations Committee, has released the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill. The bill is scheduled for markup by the Defense Subcommittee on June 5.
“In a resource- and time-constrained environment, my top priority for the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill is to strengthen our military’s position against any threat presented by China,” stated Chairman Calvert. He emphasized increased investments in innovative technologies through programs like the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) initiative. "Every dollar counts within the topline limitation imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act," he added, noting that funds are withheld from inefficient or non-essential initiatives. The bill also supports National Guard counterdrug programs and includes a pay raise for servicemembers, particularly junior enlisted personnel.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole remarked, “The privilege of peace is delivered through vigilance, and our military has supported that mission generation after generation.” He highlighted that this FY25 bill aims to enhance America’s defense readiness by focusing resources on essential Pentagon duties.
The FY25 Defense Appropriations Bill allocates $833.053 billion in discretionary funding, marking a 1% increase over FY24 levels as per limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. It aims to refocus Pentagon efforts on delivering combat-ready forces while eliminating funding for divisive social agendas.
The bill rejects $18 billion in items deemed unjustified or unnecessary from the President’s Budget Request, redirecting those funds towards countering threats from China and other adversaries, fostering innovation, combating illegal drugs like fentanyl, and supporting military personnel and their families.
Key aspects of the bill include:
**Prioritizing Counter-China Efforts:**
- Allocating $200 million for Taiwan's security cooperation.
- Preventing early retirement of certain naval and air force assets.
- Increasing investments in advanced aircraft such as F-35s.
- Supporting U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region through the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.
**Promoting Military Innovation:**
- Funding strategic capital loans to advance emerging technologies.
- Allocating over $1.3 billion for DIU initiatives.
- Providing $400 million for APFIT to transition new capabilities quickly to operational use.
**Modernization Investments:**
- Investing in next-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, tactical vehicles, submarines.
- Supporting nuclear triad modernization with B-21 Raider bombers and Columbia Class Submarines.
**Supporting Servicemembers:**
- Funding a 4.5% pay raise across all military ranks.
- Providing an additional 15% pay increase for junior enlisted members.
**Optimizing Civilian Workforce:**
- Cutting over $916 million from civilian workforce budget requests.
**Countering Illicit Drugs:**
- Allocating $1.14 billion for drug interdiction activities.
**Supporting Israel:**
- Providing substantial funding for Israeli missile defense programs including Iron Dome.
Further details about this appropriations bill can be found in its summary and full text documents available online.