The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), advancing a sweeping defense package that includes targeted funding for Florida military bases and a pay bump for service members. U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), a member of the committee and chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, announced the bill’s passage following bipartisan negotiations.

Provisions in the Bill

The massive defense policy legislation now heads to the full Senate floor for a final vote before it can be sent to the president’s desk. Among the primary provisions included in the committee-approved bill is a 3.6 percent pay raise for all military personnel. The legislation also authorizes more than $930 million specifically designated for military construction projects throughout the state of Florida.

The defense package places strict new supply-chain restrictions on technology from foreign adversaries. Under the current text, the U.S. Department of War is banned from purchasing televisions, modems, or routers manufactured by companies based in China. Additionally, the military is prohibited from procuring or operating drones that utilize batteries, motors, subcomponents, or raw materials sourced from China.

International Policy and Domestic Readiness

The bill adjusts the AUKUS security partnership by authorizing the transfer of up to three in-service submarines to Australia, rather than a mix of new and older vessels. It also mandates congressional briefings regarding missile defense cooperation with Israel and orders an assessment of aerial refueling operations during the recent 12-Day War against Iran.

Other provisions in the bill target domestic readiness and commercial space operations. It extends a temporary cap on reimbursable space launch costs to maintain competitive commercial range economics and orders a comprehensive review of the Air Force’s National Security Space Launch strategy.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.