"This week, we also anticipate we will be able to reach a final
conference agreement on the NDAA," the Democratic leader said as
he opened the Senate.
The NDAA, which normally passes with strong bipartisan support,
is closely watched by a broad swath of industry and other
interests because it determines everything from how many ships
or missiles are purchased to pay increases for soldiers and how
to address geopolitical threats.
This year's bill authorizes $770 billion in military spending.
It has been delayed amid disputes over matters ranging from the
size of the defense budget to whether to force President Joe
Biden to impose sanctions over a Russian natural gas pipeline or
how to punish China for alleged mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims
in its Xinjiang region.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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