2017 Defense Appropriations Bill Released

The House Appropriations defense subcommittee released its draft of the 2017 defense-spending bill May 10, which calls for $517.1 billion in discretionary funding – a $3 billion increase above 2016 spending levels. The measure calls for $58.6 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding, to pursue the ongoing war on terror. Service members would receive a 2.1-percent pay raise next Jan. 1 as well. The measure calls for $209.2 billion for operation and maintenance, $70.5 billion for research and development, $120.8 billion for equipment procurement, and $34 billion for health and military-family programs. The subcommittee rejected an Obama administration plan to reduce troop strength as well.