H.R.5515 – John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Click on the Heading to LINK to the original BILL in CONGRESS.GOV
Bill Overview
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Sponsor: |
Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13] (Introduced 04/13/2018)(by request) |
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Committees: |
House – Armed Services |
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Committee Reports: |
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Latest Action: |
Senate – 07/11/2018 Message on Senate action sent to the House. (All Actions) |
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Roll Call Votes: |
There have been 27 roll call votes |
Summary
Introduced in House (04/13/2018)
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
This bill authorizes FY2019 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation.
The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) Procurement, including aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and space procurement; (2) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; (3) Operation and Maintenance; (4) Working Capital Funds; (5) Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction; (6) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities; (7) the Defense Inspector General; (8) the Defense Health Program; (9) the Armed Forces Retirement Home; (10) Overseas Contingency Operations; and (11) Military Construction.
The bill also authorizes the FY2019 personnel strength for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel, acquisition policy and management, international programs, and National Guard and Reserve Forces facilities.
This Bill has passed Congress and was signed into law in December 2017. Following are links with additional information on this Bill.
Link https://usa-evote.com/wp-admin/post-new.php
National Security
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About the Author
On the surface this seems like a new bill giving Congress the authority to oversee the entire military. I always thought that was the job of the President, who is also known in the military world as Commander and Chief. Is Congress trying to take some of that authority away? My first thought about this bill was, what would happen if one law led to the next, and the next, and the next. Then one day someone does launch a missile at the US? Would Congress call an emergency meeting, write up a new bill, debate it for weeks, then vote?
On the other hand, we do need someone to oversee military spending. Long before the Revolutionary War, people have made a living stealing from the military. I would bet my last dollar that is still happening today. To what extent, we may never find out. We do need watch dogs to monitor the situation and deal with those thieves. We have enough laws on the books to cover that situation.
The military works on a sort of ladder system referred to as rank. Those closest to the President are the highest ranking officers. They have to be trusted. Below them are armies, brigades, divisions, so on and so forth. Each phase has someone in charge responsible for overseeing every detail. Why would we need people from Congress with no particle experience looking over their shoulders? It sounds like another excuse for Congress to appoint a new committee, hire new relatives and friends to do basically nothing but collect a check paid for by of course, our tax dollars.