China and the NDAA

Before the summer recess, the House passed the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the legislative vehicle that authorizes all programs and spending for the Department of Defense.  Members inserted numerous amendments, many related to the competition with the PRC.

In a statement of Administration policy, the White House said it supports the NDAA, although it took issue with a number of provisions in the House bill. One such provision would prohibit Defense from purchasing computers or printers involving entities owned or controlled by China. “While the Administration appreciates the focus on acquisition security in section 832, this provision would put in place an undue burden on the Department. The Administration is confident in its ability to apply a whole-of-government risk-based approach to IT Federal purchases,” according to the SAP.

But the Administration said it specifically endorses language in the bill supporting the President’s 2021 executive order that directed the increase of domestic content thresholds for government procurement, including major defense acquisition programs, ramping up to a final target of 75 percent in 2029.

The Senate is working on its own version of the NDAA, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says will include provisions aimed at making the United States more competitive against China.

Amendments Approved
During consideration, the House approved the following amendments by voice vote:

• Directing the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the relevant federal agencies, to conduct a study on the impacts to United States national security from Chinese influence in the electric vehicle supply chain.
• Requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress with an updated supply chain assessment of certain semiconductor metals with national security applications.
• Requiring the annual China Military Power report to provide an assessment of the PRC's development in critical and emerging technologies and identify at least 10 PRC entities that are operating in each technology with their known affiliation with the PLA.
• Requiring DOD and State to do a joint assessment on current and future constraints to the US defense supply chain; specifically the supply chain that goes towards weapons manufacturing for the US military and FMS.
• Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States is dangerously dependent upon foreign adversaries for the procurement of natural rubber.

The Gallagher Committe on the CCP announced Friday the insertion into the final house languiage of nineteen items which they called "Ten for Taiwan."