The Senate's draft version of next fiscal year's defense authorization bill provides $682.5 billion for national defense discretionary programs, $6.4 billion less than President Obama's $688.9 billion request. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the draft legislation last week, authorizing $547.1 billion for the Pentagon's base budget ($5.9 billion less than Obama's $553 billion request), $117.3 billion for the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq ($537 million less), and some $18.1 billion (minor addition) for Energy Department national security programs, according to
the release summarizing the committee's marks. Among the Air Force-related highlights, the SASC fully funded F-35A procurement (19 aircraft) and
development of the next-generation bomber. The committee also authorized the block purchase of two Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellites using a fixed-price contract and with incremental funding. It permitted the Air Force to retire six B-1 bombers, but prohibited any U-2 retirements until the Defense Department certifies that its planned successor, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, costs less to operate and sustain. The House
provided roughly $690 billon in its version of the Fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill passed in May.
Obama Administration does not plan to seek supplemental appropriations to cover the costs of Libya operations, but will instead pay for them out of currently available defense funds. The costs "will be offset through reductions in lower priority support activities" and through "some reduction to the peacetime flying hour program," states the White House report to Congress, dated June 15, outlining Obama's political and military objectives for the war-torn African country. As of June 3, the Pentagon had spent $715.9 million on Libya-related military activities and humanitarian assistance since the start of operations in mid March. The total price tag is expected to exceed $1 billion by the end of September if the current pace of operations continues, according to the report. Appearing on Fox News Sunday on June 19, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the US strategy for Libya is "absolutely right." He said Obama's arrangement with key allies was, from the very beginning, that the United States "would come in heavy at the beginning, establish a no-fly zone, and then hand off the operation to our allies and . . . recede into a support role." The President has "stuck to" that, asserted Gates. (Libya report; caution, large-sized file.) (Report cover letter) (See also AFPS report by Jim Garamone.)