The House Armed Services Committee agreed to advance the $1.15 trillion fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to the full House of Representatives. The measure was reportedly successful after 14 hours of debate, during which approximately 900 amendments were considered. It passed after the panel voted 44-12 to advance it on Thursday night, shortly before midnight.Hours before the vote, Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) expressed the importance of passing this budget, stressing the current challenges facing the defense industrial base. Rogers made the comments in his opening remarks.“Throughout our budget hearings this year, we’ve heard a consistent theme: the defense industrial base – the foundation of our military power – is in trouble,” said Rogers. “Over the last 30 years, the defense industrial base has atrophied significantly. We are no longer capable of manufacturing for our warfighters at scale or speed.”
“In the 1990s, America had 51 prime defense contractors,” said Rogers. Today, only six remain.”
He explained that the budget was an imminent national security issue, stating that the failure to replenish and upgrade the defense industrial base today would endanger the country tomorrow.
