**Biden Signs $768 Billion Defense Spending Bill, Boosting Pentagon Budget**
President Joe Biden signed into law a $768 billion defense spending bill on Friday, December 23, 2022, authorizing the largest Pentagon budget in history and providing additional support to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023 authorizes $817 billion in total defense spending, including $768 billion for the Pentagon’s base budget and $49 billion for overseas contingency operations. The bill also includes $800 million in security assistance for Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. commitment to Ukraine since the start of the war to over $27 billion.
The NDAA authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for military personnel, the largest pay increase in decades, and provides funding for a range of new weapons and technologies, including hypersonic missiles, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence. The bill also includes provisions to strengthen the U.S. military’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is seen as an increasingly assertive competitor.
The passage of the NDAA is a significant victory for the Biden administration, which has prioritized rebuilding the U.S. military and countering China’s growing influence. The bill also enjoys broad bipartisan support, with 83 senators voting in favor of it, including 22 Republicans.
**Key Provisions of the NDAA**
* Authorizes $768 billion for the Pentagon’s base budget, an increase of $45 billion from the previous year..
* Authorizes $49 billion for overseas contingency operations, a decrease of $2 billion from the previous year..
* Includes $800 million in security assistance for Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. commitment to Ukraine since the start of the war to over $27 billion..
* Authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for military personnel, the largest pay increase in decades..
* Provides funding for a range of new weapons and technologies, including hypersonic missiles, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence..
* Includes provisions to strengthen the U.S. military’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
**Reaction to the NDAA**
The passage of the NDAA has been met with mixed reactions. Some lawmakers have criticized the bill for its high cost and for including provisions that they believe are unnecessary or counterproductive. Others have praised the bill for its focus on rebuilding the U.S. military and countering China’s growing influence.
The Biden administration has welcomed the passage of the NDAA, calling it a .
