Thursday, September 22, 2016

Unlikely the 2017 NDAA Will Pass Before Fiscal Year End

With Congress getting ready to recess later this week, many are wondering about the status of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Right now, the versions of the Act that passed the Senate and House are being worked by a compromise committee to iron out the differences. If one trusts internet reporting, the only remaining obstacle to a bill for the President's signature is whether to block the sage grouse from being listed as an endangered species. What that has to do with national defense is anyone's guess. Other reporting however speculates that even if Congress passes something, the President is likely to veto it for a variety of reasons - many of which were delineated in the Administration's June 7, 2016 Statement of Administration Policy.

Right now however, Congress seems to be focused on little else than a continuing resolution to keep the Government (and states) running until Congress re-convenes on December 9th. Such a resolution would likely fund the Government at fiscal year 2016 levels. As a result, no one believes that the 2017 NDAA will be passed before Congress recesses or even by September 30th.

Here we go again.

No comments:

Post a Comment