The Democrat-led House Appropriations Defense subcommittee released a $690.2 billion fiscal 2020 draft spending bill Tuesday that would sharply restrict DOD’s ability to transfer funds within accounts, according to CQ.
The draft bill allocates a 2% increase over fiscal 2019 defense spending with $622.1 billion for the DOD’s base budget and $68.1 billion for Pentagon Overseas Contingency Accounts that are not subject to budget limits.
President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2020 defense budget request in March called for $750 billion, including $164.3 billion transferable within Pentagon accounts, but the Democrats’ draft bill would prohibit moving DOD funds for construction of a southern border barrier.
The draft bill is less than the administration’s fiscal 2020 request by about $8 billion or approximately 1%, but still provides a funding increase of $15.8 billion over fiscal 2019, according to The Hill.
The bill “rejects the Trump administration’s budgetary gimmicks and sleight of hand,” Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. “The bill ensures that our service members are trained and equipped to do their jobs safely and effectively and that they are prepared for future military needs.”
Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ken Hammond