WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he was pleased that the Senate Appropriations Committee had included additional emergency funding for U.S. defense needs as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Act. 

In May, Graham opposed the debt ceiling legislation negotiated by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy due to concerns that the defense funding level they agreed to would harm American national security.  Graham voted against the debt ceiling legislation and pledged to push for additional defense funding.  The approval of an additional $8 billion today is the first step in closing the gap.

The additional emergency defense funding includes:

• $2 billion for critical unfunded service requirements.
• $1.9 billion to address readiness gaps to include maintenance, training, airlift and sealift movements.
• $1.5 billion to compensate for inflation-related setbacks in the Department of Defense weapons program timeline.
• $1.1 billion to backfill U.S. stockpiles upon the utilization of a Presidential Drawdown Authority for Taiwan.
• $1 billion for defense industrial base capacity shortfalls and to increase resilience in supply chains.
• $500 million for anticipated deficiencies in the fueling budget.

“Very pleased the committee increased defense spending above and beyond the debt limit deal,” said Graham.  “This increase, supported by Chairman Murray, Ranking Member Collins, along with Republicans and Democrats on the committee is a strong step in the right direction.  We must make sure we have the capabilities to deal with the growing national security threats against the United States and our allies throughout the globe.  There is more to do in recognizing the inadequacies of the debt limit deal when it comes to defense, but this is a step in the right direction.” 

The legislation passed the Senate Appropriations Committee by a vote of 27-1.

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