Notes on Department of Defense Appropriations FY 2008 (Bill Passes 10/3/2007)

Beginning today, senators are debating the FY 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. This bill directs the U.S. Treasury to cut the Dept of Defense a check. President Bush's budget called for $463.1 billion. The version before the Senate totals $459.6 billion. Last year's Defense Appropriations bill amounted to $419.9 billion. Note that this DoD Appropriations bill does not include Iraq and Afghanistan war monies. Congress will debate a "Supplemental" Defense Spending Bill later this year.

This bill does include a 3.5% pay raise for military personnel as well as $1 billion for new National Guard equipment. Appropriations chairman Robert C. Byrd has mandated that no Iraq-withdrawal-type amendments be attached to this package. The Senate leadership wants to get this thing done and get it to the President by the end of the week.

UPDATE: Senate passes FY 2008 DoD Appropriations Bill by a voice vote on 10/3/2007. The bill is now in conference, where conferees are trying to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.