National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

This is the last week of congressional session until September, and there is expected to be little action on national security issues. Aside from the Defense Appropriations bill scheduled for September, Congress may be done with legislation dealing with national security issues for the rest of 2008, with the possible exception of the U.S.-Russian civilian nuclear deal. That means the Defense Authorization bill, most appropriations bills, the U.S.-India nuclear deal and Iran sanctions legislation may not be considered until 2009, if at all.

KEY 2008 NATIONAL SECURITY BILLS

RUSSIA "123" NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

On July 24, the House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted legislation approving a civilian nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Russia, but added conditions on Russian support for Iran. The measure requires the President to certify that Russia is not helping Iran's nuclear weapons program and supports U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran. Proponents argue that the only way to get the deal approved this year is to include these conditions.

If Congress takes no final action to approve the deal, it will likely die when Congress adjourns for the year on September 26 before 90 days of "continuous session" for congressional consideration have expired.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have said that the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations bill will be one of two appropriations measures passed by Congress this year, most likely in September (the other may be the Military Construction and Veterans bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee mark-up scheduled for July 24 was postponed until September. The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee mark-up is scheduled for July 30.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

As the bill tends to take up to two weeks of Senate floor time, the measure has been put off until September -- and many never be considered by the Senate.