President Joe Biden is expected to sign the annual defense authorization bill into law later this month. The military is already at its lowest active-duty personnel level since 1940 and will dip even lower next year under plans to be approved by Congress. The compromise bill authorizes limited assistance for Ukraine, implements AUKUS and institutionalizes a nuclear weapon. Nearly one of every four civil servant has prior or existing military experience. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Dec. 11, 2023. The Countering Extremist Activity Working Group was established in 2021 to address an increase in concerning behavior among troops. A provision in Congress' not-yet-final annual defense authorization bill calls for "an independent review, assessment, and analysis" of Force Design 2030. Lawmakers want to see more detailed plans for collaborative combat aircraft and the Next Generation Air Dominance platform. The annual defense authorization bill contains a 5.2% pay raise for troops and a host of other policy renewals needed for military operations. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Dec. 4, 2023. Load More