After a marathon markup session, the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an amendment that would require women to register for the draft. The committee voted 32-30 to include the provision, The Hill reported. The bill takes $23.1 billion from overseas contingency operations funds requested in the President’s proposed defense budget and applies it to base activities, Politico reported. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the committee, said in a written statement that the bill “helps begin to correct the funding shortfalls that have led to a lack of readiness” and a higher level of risk to troops and national security. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.?), the ranking member of the committee, said “there are a lot of good things” in the bill, and he plans to support it when it comes before the full House.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
