FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act: An Overview of H.R. 5515

The FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved by Congress would authorize $708.1 billion in discretionary appropriations for national defense-related activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) and other agencies. The bill (H.R. 5515) would authorize $16 billion(2.3%) more than the amount authorized by the FY2018 NDAA (P.L. 115-91) and match the amount requested by the Administration. The bill would authorize $639.1 billion for so-called base budget activitiesactivities DOD and other agencies would pursue even if U.S. forces were not engaged in operations in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. This figure includes $616.9 billion for DOD, $21.9 billion for defense- related atomic energy programs of the Department of Energy, and $300 million for other defense-related activities. The bill would also authorize additional DOD appropriations totaling $69 billionfunding designated for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)to cover the incremental cost of U.S. operations in the Middle East and South Asia as well as other costs Congress and President Donald Trump agree to designate for OCO.