April 12, 2021 Update
[New information bolded and italicized]
Congress is back in session this week. The big national security news last week was the Biden administration’s release of a partial Fiscal Year 2022 federal budget. The Pentagon request will be for $715 billion, less than the Trump projected request of $722 billion. The request leaves the hawks unhappy with close to a flat budget and progressives unhappy with no substantial cuts.
Looking at the National Defense budget function 050, which includes Pentagon funding, Department of Energy nuclear weapons programs and a few misc. categories, the request is for $753 billion, or a 1.7% increase (less than expected inflation). Conservatives are unhappy with this accounting too because non-defense programs are in for a 15.9% increase.
One useful detail: the Overseas Contingency Operations account originally established to pay for the overseas wars but long regarded as a slush fund, has officially be consigned to the dust bin of history, with funding moved to regular accounts.
In addition, Biden’s request includes $63.5 billion for the State Department and other international programs, a $6.8 billion or 12% increase from the 2021 enacted level.
These budget requests are skimpy with details; the fully detailed budget was slated to be released May 3 but could be delayed until June.
Click here for some of the key introduced national security measures.
Key Fiscal Year 2022 National Security Bills
Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Bill
Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations Bill
Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Resolution
Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill
Fiscal Year 2022 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
Fiscal Year 2022 Military Construction-Veterans’ Administration (VA) Bill
CONGRESSIONAL RECESS SCHEDULE IN 2021
Thursday/Friday, March 25/26 – Monday/Tuesday, April 12/13: House and Senate recess
Friday, April 30: Monday May 10: Senate recess
Friday, May 28 – Monday, June 7: Senate and House recess
Friday, June 25 – Monday, July 12: Senate recess
Friday July 1 – Monday July 12: House recess
Friday, July 30 – Tuesday, August 31: House summer recess
Friday, August 6 – Monday, September 13: Senate summer recess
Friday, October 8 – Monday, October 18: Senate recess
Friday, November 5 – Monday, November 15: Senate recess
Thursday/Friday, November 18-19 – Monday/Tuesday, November 29-30: Senate & House recess
Friday, December 10 – Friday, December 31: House and Senate recess
