The annual must-pass defense policy bill that sets spending limits for nationals ecurity programs is headed for its final debate in Congress after the House this week voted for a conference with the Senate.
But in a twist this year, those negotiations will include debate about substantial policy reforms proposed by the Senate for the federal government’s civilian nuclear-energy programs.
At a high level, the Republican-controlled House and the Democrat-controlled Senate this year crafted wildly different versions of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that now must be reconciled before President Joe Biden (D) can sign the measure into law.
Among other things, the House bill aims to sharply cut government spending and enforce conservative policies about abortion and diversity hiring at the Pentagon.
The nuclear policy reforms included with the Senate NDAA include: new reports about U.S. nuclear waste and the taxpayer expenses associated with it; provisions designed to make the Nuclear Regulatory Commission more efficient; and language that encourages the export of U.S. nuclear technology and know-how.
The House NDAA does not include the sweeping nuclear-energy policy changes that the Senate bill does, but the House Energy and Commerce Committee this summer passed legislation touching on many of those same issues. Members of that committee, including ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) were appointed to the NDAA conference committee.
