USNI News:
The U.S. Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2019 defense authorization bill, setting the stage for negotiations with members of the House of Representatives to create a unified set of policy and spending priorities to approve later this year.
Named for Sen. John S. McCain (R-Ariz.), the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and passed by a bipartisan vote of 85-10, the Senate National Defense Authorization Act sets a variety of defense policy and spending priorities, including accelerating missile defense, ship and submarine building and military research and development.
The Senate bill authorizes $23.1 billion for shipbuilding, including fully-funding the purchase of 10 battle-force ships and authorizes work developing the Columbia-class of nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN-826). Funding for the Littoral Combat Ship is limited to one hull by the Senate bill until the Pentagon provides more information related to the transition to future guided-missile frigate (FFG(X)).
