Bill Overview
Title: James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
Description: This bill authorizes Department of Defense (DOD) activities for FY2023 and addresses other issues. For example, the bill authorizes the procurement of various items, including Ship-to-Shore Connector craft and replenishment oiler ships; limits or prohibits the retirement or reduction of certain weapons systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and certain aircraft; reduces inventory requirements for certain air refueling aircraft; requires the Government Accountability Office to assess the efforts to modernize the propulsion systems of the F-35 aircraft; requires DOD to conduct a pilot program on the use of sustainable aviation fuel; prescribes end strengths for the branches of the Armed Forces; expands Selective Service registration requirements, which currently apply only to qualifying male citizens, to cover all qualifying citizens; prohibits inducting any person into the Armed Forces under certain authorities without an act of Congress; requires the Army to establish sex-neutral fitness standards for combat military occupational specialties that are higher than those for noncombat specialties; requires DOD to reissue and update certain instructions relating to the confidentiality of servicemembers receiving mental health care; establishes regional centers of excellence for providing military specialty care; requires DOD to develop and issue implementing guidance for risk management for DOD pharmaceutical materiel supply chains; extends the authorities for certain activities in Iraq and Syria, including assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; and prohibits using funds authorized by this bill for DOD participation in Saudi Arabia's offensive operations against the Houthis in Yemen unless specifically authorized by statute.
Sponsors: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Target Audience
Population: individuals associated with the Department of Defense and their families, eligible civilians for Selective Service, and employees in the defense industry
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The legislation affects the budget and operations of the Department of Defense, impacting all servicemembers.
- Changes in procurement and inventory could affect defense contractors and their employees involved in producing and maintaining military equipment.
- Updating the Selective Service registration to include all qualifying citizens impacts the eligible civilian population, previously limited to males.
- Increasing the combat fitness standards could affect recruitment and retention within the military services.
- The bill impacts military strategies and operations, which could affect personnel in active duty and stationed in regions like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Reasoning
- The policy affects servicemembers, defense contractors, eligible civilians for Selective Service registration, and their families.
- The policy's emphasis on procurement and preventing retirement of certain systems benefits defense contractors.
- Service eligibility changes could impact a broad range of civilians by requiring registration for Selective Service.
- The policy includes aspects addressing military personnel support, such as mental health confidentiality and fitness standards, which affect servicemembers directly.
Simulated Interviews
Defense contractor (Virginia)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see continued investment in shipbuilding, it means job security for my department.
- I worry about budget cuts in other areas but overall this bill seems beneficial for my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
University student (California)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm really against expanding the Selective Service, it's an unnecessary burden on citizens.
- Using sustainable aviation fuel is a good step for the environment, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Active duty military (Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- New fitness standards are necessary but may be too strict for some.
- Mental health confidentiality updates are a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired military officer (Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protecting veteran programs is crucial, and I support measures in this bill.
- Expansion of Selective Service isn't an immediate concern for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Civil rights activist (New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding Selective Service is a huge overreach.
- This only adds to the worries for marginalized communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Pilot for Air Mobility Command (Georgia)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Modernizing propulsion systems is overdue, it should improve flight performance.
- The inventory reduction might mean more efficient use of resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill is comprehensive but pushing Selective Service registration might be controversial.
- I support the regional centers for specialty care—it's crucial for servicemembers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Factory worker in defense industry (Kentucky)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Retaining missile systems means job security for us.
- I am worried about budget cuts affecting other areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Active duty naval officer (Hawaii)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to not let weapon systems retire prematurely given the global climate.
- I support efforts to maintain readiness despite challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Defense supplier (Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy ensures consistent income through steady orders.
- Inflation and economic changes make it tough for small suppliers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $85000000000 (Low: $82000000000, High: $90000000000)
Year 2: $86500000000 (Low: $83000000000, High: $92000000000)
Year 3: $88000000000 (Low: $85000000000, High: $94000000000)
Year 5: $91000000000 (Low: $88000000000, High: $97000000000)
Year 10: $95000000000 (Low: $92000000000, High: $101000000000)
Year 100: $120000000000 (Low: $115000000000, High: $125000000000)
Key Considerations
- The balance between maintaining military readiness and fiscal responsibility is crucial.
- The potential geopolitical impacts of military maneuvers and alliances require evaluation.
- Long-term impacts on military personnel training and readiness standards must be considered.