Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry Begin FY20 National Defense Authorization Process

Introduction of “By Request” Bill Initiates Defense Legislation

Washington, DC, May 3, 2019

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (R-TX) this week took the first legislative step to begin the process of crafting the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), by introducing H.R. 2500, the "by request" version of the bill.
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This procedural measure is the first step in the legislative process for the NDAA. The legislation filed this week does not reflect any substantive work by the Armed Services Committee. Instead, provisions in the bill reflect legislative proposals submitted by the Department of Defense that fall within the jurisdiction of the House Armed Services Committee. When the Committee meets to consider the FY20 NDAA, the content of H.R. 2500 will be struck and replaced with subcommittee and full committee proposals.