Correction—The Bill That Passed Yesterday Was Not A Spending Bill

I have to issue a correction concerning my characterization of the Department of Defense bill that passed yesterday on a 92-3 vote. That bill was what they call an "Authorization" bill, meaning that Congress is, for example, giving permission or guidance to the Secretary of the Army about how to spend FY 2008 appropriations in a certain way. The bill is officially titled, "The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008."

The Senate will actually begin to debate the FY 2008 Dept. of Defense Appropriations Bill today. By passing an appropriations bill, Congress is actually releasing funds to a department. I was incorrectly calling yesterday's Authorization bill a "spending bill" or an "appropriations bill" even though, in reality, it does not release any funds to the Dept. of Defense.

More on the Dept. of Defense Authorization Act FY 2008

It grants permission to the military to spend FY 2008 appropriations in a certain way. For example, part of the legislation "Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement."

It also specifically authorizes, for example, the Secretary of the Army, "to enter into multiyear contracts for the procurement of: (1) M1A2 Abrams system enhancement package vehicles; (2) M2A3 Bradley fighting vehicles, M3A3 Cavalry fighting vehicles, and M2A3 Bradley fire support team vehicles; and (3) CH-47F helicopters."

So basically, Congress is saying, "OK, we are giving you money—but here's how you have to spend it." Of course, now Congress actually has to appropriate the funds. That is the bill that the Senate is taking up today, "The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008."