National Security Legislative Calendar

Authorization to Use Military Force

On March 8, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 13-8 to repeal 2002 and 1991 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF, that launched President George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq. Before the final vote, the Committee rejected 13-8 a Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) amendment that would specify that the U.S. has the authority to attack Iran. An amendment Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) amendment to also repeal the 2001 AUMF — which came in response to 9/11— was rejected 20-1.

On March 16, Senate took a procedural vote of 68-27 to advance the repeal with 19 Republicans joining Democrats in support, strongly indicating the measure will pass the Senate.

On March 29, the Senate passed S. 316 to repeal the 1991 and 2022 AUMFs against Iraq by a vote of 66-30.

The Senate rejected six Republican amendments to the bill:

• Johnson (R-WI) amendment on using force against Iran failed 47-49.
• Ricketts (R-NE) amendment to require the President to consult Israel, Iran and other countries on the AUMF repeal failed 31-62.
• Cruz (R-TX) amendment on the President’s use of force against Iran failed 41-55.
• Sullivan (R-AK) amendment on responding to threats from Iran failed 38-57.
• Scott (R-FL) amendment to set up a joint select committee on Afghanistan failed 33-62.
• Hawley (R-MO) amendment to establish Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance failed 26-68.

The bill next goes to the House, where Republicans haven given mixed signals about their next steps on the legislation.

Aid to Ukraine

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine less than one year ago, Congress has approved more than $113 billion of aid and military assistance to support the Ukrainian government and allied nations. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus appropriations package included an additional $47.3 billion of emergency funding to provide humanitarian, military, and economic assistance to Ukraine on top of the $65.8 billion of funding already approved in three other emergency funding packages enacted by Congress. Of the $113 billion approved in 2022, about three-fifths ($67 billion) has been allocated toward defense needs and the remaining two-fifths ($46 billion) to nondefense concerns such as general Ukrainian government aid, economic support, and aid for refugee resettlement. [Source: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget]

Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Bill

On March 9, the Biden administration requested $886 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 budget authority for defense, including $842 billion for the Pentagon, a 3.2% increase over the enacted Fiscal Year 2023 level, plus $32.8 billion in atomic energy related defense spending. That number includes the request for the National Nuclear Security Administration, which builds nuclear weapons. As part of the request, the Pentagon asked for $15.3 billion to fund the U.S. military’s presence in the Pacific, part of the Biden administrations pivot to the China challenge. The Council’s sister organization, Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, is preparing a detailed analysis.

Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Bill

Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Fiscal Year 2024 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction-Veterans’ Administration (VA) Appropriations Bills

Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Resolution

The Senate annual budget resolutions, which used to launch the budget process each year, may have gone the way of the dodo bird. However, the House GOP has promised a balanced budget resolution to cut federal deficits and spending, but not until May at the earliest.

Congressional Recess Schedule

June 23–July 10 — Senate out of session (Independence Day)

June 23–July 11 — House out of session (Independence Day)

July 28–September 5 — Senate out of session (summer recess)

July 28–September 12 — House out of session (summer recess)

September 29–October 17 — House out of session (Columbus Day)

October 6–16 — Senate out of session (Columbus Day)

October 26–November 13 — House out of session

November 16–28 — House out of session (Thanksgiving)

November 17–27 — Senate out of session (Thanksgiving)

December 14–31 — House out of session (Christmas)

December 15 — Target Senate adjournment