The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act and Continuing Appropriations Act will provide funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) for fiscal year 2019.
The act, which became law Friday, provides $686 billion for the DOD and $30 billion for the Department of Energy and other non-DOD defense funding. Funds will be used for the purchase of aircraft, ships, and submarines, and will increase service members’ pay 2.6 percent.
This funding is consistent with the recently enacted FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and the $716 billion 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act national defense spending cap for fiscal year 2019.
This is the first time in more than 10 years that the DOD will start its fiscal year with appropriated funding instead of operating under a continuing resolution.
“By funding our military in full and on time, we can begin to restore its strength, agility, and effectiveness,” Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said.
Funds will be used to support the 2018 National Defense Strategy. This strategy includes reforming and modernizing the DOD for increased accountability, performance and affordability; strengthening existing alliances and building new foreign partnerships; and restoring readiness and building a more lethal force.