House boosts military spending, sets course for 3rd submarine in state

The U.S. House has approved legislation that would increase military spending in Connecticut and set the stage for construction of a third submarine annually, but a difficult fight is expected with the Senate before final passage.

Any final bill is expected to increase military spending in Connecticut substantially next year, as there is an agreement among a majority of House and Senate Democrats and Republicans on the need to shore up the nation’s defenses.

The House defense bill, approved Friday on a partisan vote of 220-197, would cut President Donald Trump’s request for the Pentagon from $750 billion to $733 billion — which is still a substantial boost over this year’s military spending.

But perhaps more objectionable to the White House and congressional Republicans, the House-approved defense bill would curb the president’s war-making authority.

That sets up a battle with the GOPcontrolled Senate over a final National Defense Authorization bill.

The House NDAA contains an amendment that would prohibit funding U.S. military action against Iran unless Congress has declared war or enacted another specific statutory authorization. The legislation includes an exception for cases of self-defense.

The House defense bill also contains provisions that would end U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in Yemen, and undo Trump’s ban on transgender troops.

Ana Radelat is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror ( www.ctmirror.org). © 2019 The Connecticut Mirror.