House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and ranking member Adam Smith (D-Washington) have introduced a “by request†bill to begin drafting a fiscal 2019 defense policy bill.
The committee said Friday the effort marks the first step to craft the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which will include proposals from the Defense Department.
The “by request” bill named H.R. 5515 calls for the clearance of 2019 appropriations for DoD’s military activities and military construction.
President Donald Trump approved a $700 billion 2018 NDAA in December of last year.
The law authorizes the recruitment of 20,000 additional troops across the service branches and modifications to missile defense systems.
It also funds the U.S. military’s fight against Islamic State militants as well as procurement of Virginia-class underwater vessels and fighter jets.