FY24 HouseAppropriations 

Committee

Defense Appropriations Act

As of October 13, 2023 

Bill Status

Passed in 

Committee

Passed in 

Chamber Final Passage Signed into Law

House 22 June 2023 28 September 2023

Senate 27 June 2023
Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................... - 2 -

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL................................................................................................... - 5 -

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE.................................................................. - 5 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL ....................................................................................................... - 2 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE ...................................................................... - 2 -

GENERAL PROVISIONS.............................................................................................................................. - 3 -

LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS........................................................................................................................ - 4 -

ITEMS OF INTEREST................................................................................................................................... - 5 -

Executive Summary

This guide provides a short summary of the House of Representatives Fiscal Year 2024 Defense 

Appropriations Act. To obtain a complete understanding of any particular provision, users are 

encouraged to review the actual legislative language. Bill text and report language can be found on 

the LL website: https://www.nationalguard.mil/leadership/joint-staff/personal-staff/legislativeliaison/.

Status: 

On June 15th, 2023, the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense passed the 

FY24 Defense Appropriations Act and on June 22nd, 2023, the House Appropriations Committee 

passed the measure. The House Chamber passed the measure by a vote of 218-210 on 

September 28th, 2023. 

The Defense Appropriations bill funds agencies and programs under the jurisdiction of the 

Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community, including the Military Services, Central 

Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency. For Fiscal Year 2024, the bill provides 

$826.15 billion in new discretionary spending, which is $14.13 million below the President’s Budget 

Request and $28.41 billion – or 3.5% – over the FY23 enacted level.

Highlights: 

• Funds a 5.2% military pay raise

• Funds an end strength of 325,000 for the ARNG and 108,400 for the ANG

• Appropriates $312M for the ARNG and $305M for the ANG in NGREA 

• $9.7B for ARNG Personnel, a decrease of $17.2M from the FY24 request

• $5.2B for ANG Personnel, a decrease of $57.8M from the FY24 request

• $8.6B for ARNG O&M, a decrease of $70.7M from the FY24 request

• $7.2B for ANG O&M, a decrease of $2.9M from the FY24 request
• Provides $22.2M to State Partnership Program (SPP) activities, and specifically highlights 

the value of the SPP to achieving National Defense Strategy objectives

• Provides $23.5M for the Northern Strike exercise.

• Provides $300M for National Guard Counter-Drug Program, an increase of $198M from the 

FY24 request

• Provides $30M for National Guard Counter-Drug Schools, an increase of $24M from the 

FY24 request

• Provides $84.9M above the request for National Guard Youth Challenge

• Provides $53M above the request for Starbase

• Provides $120M for additional modernized ARNG HMMWVs

• Provides $120M above the request for additional UH-60M Blackhawks for the ARNG

• Provides ANG with $487.2M for four C-130Js

• Provides ANG with $96.5M for facility enhancements for future pilot training sites
National Guard Accounts Overview 

(All Dollars in Thousands)

Army 

National 

Guard

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D 

Mark

Delta from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

ARNG 

Personnel $9,783,569 $9,766,369 -$17,200 $9,783,569 $3,098

ARNG O&M $8,683,104 $8,612,404 -$70,700 $8,706,797 $23,693

NGREA -- $312,000 $312,000 $278,135 $278,135

Air 

National 

Guard

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D 

Mark

Delta from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

ANG 

Personnel $5,292,425 $5,234,625 -$57,800 $5,264,865 -$27,560

ANG O&M $7,253,694 $7,250,745 -$2,949 $7,268,605 $14,911

NGREA -- $305,000 $305,000 $255,128 $255,128
Army National Guard

Army National Guard Personnel

(All Dollars in Thousands)

ARNG Personnel 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

PAY GROUP A TRAINING 

(15 DAYS & DRILLS 24/48) $2,720,787 $2,720,787 -- $2,720,787 -- 

PAY GROUP F TRAINING 

(RECRUITS) $600,118 $600,118 -- $600,118 -- 

PAY GROUP P TRAINING 

(PIPELINE RECRUITS) $60,361 $60,361 -- 60,361 -- 

SCHOOL TRAINING $591,765 $591,765 -- $592,7655 $1,000

SPECIAL TRAINING $819,779 $837,3791-2 $17,600 $843,2236-11 $23,444

ADMINISTRATION AND 

SUPPORT $4,941,628 $4,941,628 -- $4,941,628 -- 

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN 

MATCHING 

CONTRIBUTIONS

$38,840 $38,840 -- $38,840 -- 

EDUCATION BENEFITS $10,291 $10,291 -- $10,291 -- 

TOTAL, BUDGET ACTIVITY 

1 (BAC-01) $9,783,569 $9,801,169 $17,600 $9,808,013 $24,444

UNDISTRIBUTED 

ADJUSTMENT -- -$34,8003-4 -$34,800 -$21,346 -$21,346

TOTAL, TITLE I, ARNG 

PERSONNEL $9,324,813 $9,766,369 -$17,200 $9,786,667 $3,098

HEALTH CARE 

CONTRIBUTION (RC) $971,647 $971,647 -- $972,000 --

TOTAL, NATIONAL GUARD 

PERSONNEL, ARMY $10,755,216 $10,738,016 -$17,200 $10,758,667 $3,098

1. Special Training; Program increase – State Partnership Program $9,100

2. Special Training; Program increase – Northern Strike $8,500

3. Undistributed Adjustment; Historical unobligated balances -$27,000

4. Undistributed Adjustment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -$7,800

5. School Training; Program increase: Army Mountain Warfare School operations $1,000

6. Special Training; Program increase: Wildfire training $8,500

7. Special Training; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $3,044

8. Special Training; Program increase: Irregular warfare training exercises $3,500

9. Special Training; Undistributed adjustment: Revised budget estimate -$30,846

10. Special Training; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $8,500

11. Special Training; Program increase: National Guard Mission Assurance Program $1,000

Army National Guard Operations & Maintenance

ARNG O&M Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

MANEUVER UNITS $925,071 $938,0711 $13,000 $936,5719 $11,500

MODULAR SUPPORT 

BRIGADES $201,781 $201,781 -- $196,78110 -$5,000

ECHELONS ABOVE BRIGADE $840,373 $833,3732 -$7,000 $790,37311 -$50,000
THEATER LEVEL ASSETS $107,392 $105,3923 -$2,000 $102,39212 -$5,000

LAND FORCES OPERATIONS 

SUPPORT $62,908 $62,908 -- $62,908 --

AVIATION ASSETS $1,113,908 $1,102,9084 -$11,000 $1,101,90813 -$12,000

FORCE READINESS 

OPERATIONS SUPPORT $832,946 $827,9465 -$5,000 $820,60514-18 -$12,341

LAND FORCES SYSTEMS 

READINESS $50,696 $50,696 -- $51,49619 $800

LAND FORCES DEPOT 

MAINTENANCE $231,784 $231,784 -- $231,784 --

BASE OPERATIONS SUPPORT $1,249,066 $1,244,0666 -$5,000 $1,253,80020,21 $4,734

FACILITIES SUSTAINMENT, 

RESTORATION, & 

MODERNIZATION

$1,081,561 $1,081,561 -- $1,176,56122,23 $95,000

MANAGEMENT AND 

OPERATIONAL HQ $1,468,857 $1,458,8577 -$10,000 $1,481,85724,25 $13,000

CYBERSPACE ACTIVITIES –

CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS $9,566 $9,566 -- $9,566 --

CYBERSPACE ACTIVITIES –

CYBERSECURITY $15,710 $15,710 -- $16,71026 $1,000

SERVICEWIDE 

TRANSPORTATION $7,251 $7,251 -- $7,251 --

ADMINISTRATION $66,025 $73,0258 $7,000 $68,02527,28 $2,000

SERVICEWIDE 

COMMUNICATIONS $113,366 $113,366 -- $113,366 --

MANPOWER MANAGEMENT $8,663 $8,663 -- $8,663 --

OTHER PERSONNEL SUPPORT $292,426 $292,426 -- $292,426 --

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT $3,754 $3,754 -- $3,754 --

HISTORICAL UNOBLIGATION -- -$43,000 -$43,000 -- --

PROGRAM DECREASE –

CIVILIAN WORKFORCE -- -$8,000 -$8,000 -- --

P.L. 115-68 IMPLEMENTATION -- $300 $300 -- --

PROJECTED 

UNDEREXECUTION -- -- -- -$20,000 -$20,000

TOTAL, ARNG O&M $8,683,104 $8,612,404 -$70,700 $8,706,797 $23,693

1. Maneuver Units; Program increase – Northern Strike $13,000

2. Echelons Above Brigade; Unjustified growth -$7,000

3. Theater Level Assets; Unjustified growth -$2,000

4. Aviation Assets; Unjustified growth -$11,000

5. Force Readiness Operations Support; Unjustified growth -$5,000

6. Base Operations; Unjustified growth -$5,000

7. Management and Operational Headquarters; Unjustified transfer -$10,000

8. Administration; Program increase – State Partnership Program - $7,000

9. Maneuver Units; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $11,500

10. Modular Support Brigades; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

11. Echelons Above Brigade; Unjustified growth: - $50,000

12. Theater Level Assets; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

13. Aviation Assets; Unjustified growth: -$12,000

14. Force Readiness Operations Support; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

15. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Irregular warfare training exercises $3,500

16. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $1,909

17. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: International advanced trauma and public health direct training services 

$750

18. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Wildfire training $1,500

19. Land Forces Systems Readiness; Program increase: Enhanced NG emergency satellite communications capability $800

20. Base Operations Support; Program increase: Aqueous film forming foam replacement related activities $2,600

21. Base Operations Support; Program increase: PFAS cleanup and restoration $2,134

22. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase $60,000

23. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; ARNG MQ-1C AATS $35,000

24. Management and Operational Headquarters; Program increase: Mental health providers $8,000
25. Management and Operational Headquarters; Program increase: Star behavioral health program $5,000

26. Cyberspace Activities-Cybersecurity; Program increase: NG Mission assurance Program $1,000

27. Administration; Program decrease unaccounted for - $4,000

28. Administration; Program increase: State Partnership Program $6,000
• Air National Guard

Air National Guard Personnel

(All Dollars in Thousands)

ANG Personnel 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

PAY GROUP A TRAINING 

(15 DAYS & DRILLS 24/48) $1,125,121 $1,125,121 -- $1,125,121 --

PAY GROUP F TRAINING 

(RECRUITS) $106,460 $106,460 -- $106,460 --

PAY GROUP P TRAINING 

(PIPELINE RECRUITS) $4,405 $4,405 -- $4,405 --

SCHOOL TRAINING $319,496 $319,496 -- $319,496 --

SPECIAL TRAINING $217,458 $222,2581-2 $4,800 $229,0986-10 $11,640

ADMINISTRATION AND 

SUPPORT $3,475,783 $3,475,783 -- $3,475,783 --

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN 

MATCHING 

CONTRIBUTIONS

$27,540 $27,540 -- $27,540 --

EDUCATION BENEFITS $16,162 $16,162 -- $16,162 --

TOTAL, BUDGET ACTIVITY 

1 (BAC-01) $5,292,425 $5,297,225 $4,800 $5,304,065 $11,640

UNDISTRIBUTED 

ADJUSTMENT -- -$62,6003-5 -$62,600 -$39,200 -$39,200

Total, Title I National Guard 

Personnel, Air Force $5,292,425 $5,234,625 -$57,800 $5,264,865 -$27,560

HEALTH CARE 

CONTRIBUTION (RC) $371,866 $371,866 -- $372,000 --

Total, National Guard 

Personnel, Air Force $5,664,291 $5,606,491 -$57,800 $5,636,865 -$27,560

1. Special Training; Program Increase – State Partnership Program $2,800

2. Special Training; Program Increase – Northern Strike $2,000

3. Undistributed Adjustment; Historical unobligated balances -$26,000

4. Undistributed Adjustment; Projected underexecution -$33,000

5. Undistributed Adjustment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -$3,600

6. Special Training; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $2,840

7. Special Training; Program increase: State Partnership Program $2,800

8. Special Training; Program increase: Wildfire training $6,000

9. Special Training; Undistributed adjustment: Revised budget estimate -$41,200

10. Special Training; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $2,000

Air National Guard Operations & Maintenance 

ANG O&M 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24 

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24 

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

AIRCRAFT 

OPERATIONS $2,498,675 $2,468,6751 -$30,000 $2,478,6759 -$20,000

MISSION SUPPORT 

OPERATIONS $656,714 $667,2652-4 $10,551 $669,74810-14 $13,034

DEPOT 

MAINTENANCE $1,171,901 $1,173,9015 $2,000 $1,149,90115 -$22,000
FACILITIES 

SUSTAINMENT, 

RESTORATION & 

MODERNIZATION 

$370,188 $466,6886 $96,500 $482,06516-18 $111,877

CONTRACTOR 

LOGISTICS 

SUPPORT AND 

SYSTEM SUPPORT

$1,280,003 $1,262,0037 -$18,000 $1,260,00319 -$20,000

BASE OPERATING 

SUPPORT $1,089,579 $1,094,5798 $5,000 $1,071,57920 -$18,000

CYBERSPACE 

SUSTAINMENT $19,708 $19,708 -- $19,708 --

CYBERSPACE 

ACTIVITIES $49,476 $49,476 -- $49,476 --

ADMINISTRATION $68,417 $68,417 -- $68,417 --

RECRUITING AND 

ADVERTISING $49,033 $49,033 -- $49,033 --

HISTORICAL 

UNOBLIGATION -- -$43,000 -$43,000 -- --

PROGRAM 

DECREASE – 

CIVILIAN 

WORKFORCE

-- -$26,000 -$26,000 -- --

PROJECTED 

UNDEREXECUTION -- -- -- -$30,000 -$30,000

TOTAL, O&M, AIR 

NATIONAL GUARD $7,253,694 $7,250,745 -$2,949 $7,268,605 $14,911

1. Aircraft Operations; Unjustified growth -$30,000

2. Mission Support Operations; Program increase – State Partnership Program $3,300

3. Mission Support Operations; Program increase – ANG JTAC contractor support $8,000

4. Mission Support Operations; Unjustified request -$749

5. Depot Purchase Equipment Maintenance; Program increase – KC-135 $2,000

6. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase – facility enhancements for future pilot training sites $96,500

7. Contractor Logistics Support and System Support; Unjustified growth -$18,000

8. Base Operations Support; Program Increase – resilience training $5,000

9. Aircraft Operations; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

10. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $2,034

11. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Mental health providers $5,000

12. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: State Partnership Program $2,500

13. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Training and equipment for KC-135 classic associations $2,000

14. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Wildfire training $1,500

15. Depot Purchase Equipment Maintenance; Unjustified growth: -$22,000

16. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: $20,000

17. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: Additional facility enhancements for future foreign military 

pilot training sites $90,977

18. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: Repair hangar fire systems $900

19. Contractor Logistics Support and System Support; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

20. Base Support; Unjustified growth: -$18,000

General Provisions

ACTIVE, RESERVE, and NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY PERSONNEL

In title I of the Act, the Committee recommends a total of $177,922,024,000 for active, reserve, and National 

Guard military personnel, a decrease of $951,942,000 below the budget request due to projected under

execution of funds. The Committee recommendation provides full funding necessary to increase basic pay 

for all military personnel by 5.2 percent, effective January 1, 2024. The Committee recommendation also 

includes additional targeted funding increases for certain enlisted grades.
National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account

The Committee recommends $1,000,000,000 for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account. Of 

that amount, $312,000,000 is for the Army National Guard; $305,000,000 is for the Air National Guard; 

$155,000,000 is for the Army Reserve; $55,000,000 is for the Navy Reserve; $18,000,000 is for the Marine

Corps Reserve; and $155,000,000 is for the Air Force Reserve to meet urgent equipment needs in the 

coming fiscal year. This funding will allow the National Guard and reserve components to procure high 

priority equipment used by these components for both their military missions and missions in support of State 

governors. The funding within this account is not to be used to procure equipment designated as highdensity critical equipment, major weapon systems, aircraft, and other equipment central to a unit's ability to

perform its doctrinal mission. The funding within this account is not to be used to procure equipment 

purchased by the senior Service, to expand or accelerate current Service procurement plans, to purchase 

expendable items, or to purchase facilities or equipment for any requirement able to be satisfied elsewhere.

The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the National Guard and Reserve Equipment 

Account is executed by the Chiefs of the National Guard and reserve components with priority consideration 

given to the following items: acoustic hailing devices; crash-worthy, ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel systems 

for UH-60 helicopters; degraded visual environment systems; improved thermal acoustic blanket; KC-135 

aircraft emergency response refuel equipment kits; KC-135 aircrew ground cooling units; land surveying 

systems; lightweight, rapidly deployable, computer-based artillery call for fire training and simulation; litter

stabilization systems; modular small arms ranges and small arms training simulators and tools; secure 

enterprise, emergency, and social communication; software defined radios; UH-72A/B mission equipment 

modernization; and upgraded commercial-off-the-shelf ground mapping for C- 130 aircraft.

Legislative Provisions

Sec. 8044 prohibits the use of funds to reduce authorized positions for military technicians (dual status) of 

the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, and Air Force Reserve unless such reductions

are a direct result of a reduction in military force structure.

Sec. 8046 provides for reimbursement to the National Guard and reserve when members of the National 

Guard and reserve provide intelligence or counterintelligence support to the combatant commands, defense 

agencies, and joint intelligence activities.

Sec. 8052 provides conditions for the use of equipment of the National Guard Distance Learning Project, on 

a space available, reimbursable basis.

Sec. 8053 prohibits funds to retire C-40 aircraft, with certain exceptions.

Sec. 8054 prohibits the use of funds to procure end-items for delivery to military forces for operational 

training, operational use or inventory requirements.

Sec. 8058 provides for the use of National Guard personnel to support ground-based elements of the 

National Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Sec. 8060 provides for a waiver by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau or his designee for all or part of 

consideration in cases of personal property leases of less than one year.

Sec. 8076 prohibits the use of funds from being used to transfer program authority relating to current 

tactical unmanned aerial vehicles from the Army and requires the Army to retain responsibility for and 

operational control of the MQ-lC Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Sec. 8099 places restrictions on the use of funding for military parades.

Sec. 8133 prohibits the use of funds to integrate an alternative engine on any F-35 aircraft.

Sec. 8137 provides funds to increase pay for certain enlisted grades.
Sec. 8141 prohibits funds to implement, administer, apply, enforce, or carry out measures relating to the 

Department of Defense diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategy, certain executive orders, and 

execute activities that promote or perpetuate divisive concepts related to race or sex.

Sec. 8142 prohibits the use of funds to perform surgical procedures or hormone therapies for the purposes 

of gender affirming care.

Sec. 8143 prohibits the use of funds to promote, host, facilitate, or support a drag queen story hour for 

children on United States military installations or for military recruiting programs that feature drag queens.

Sec. 8144 prohibits the use of funds to recruit, hire, or promote any person who has been convicted of 

charges related to child pornography or other sexual misconduct.

Sec. 8145 prohibits the use of funds for paid leave and travel or related expenses of a federal employee or 

their dependents for the purposes of obtaining an abortion or abortion-related services.

Sec. 8147 prohibits funds to carry out any program, project, or activity that promotes or advances Critical 

Race Theory or any concept associated with Critical Race Theory.

Sec. 8148 prohibits the use of funds to label communications by United States persons as misinformation, 

disinformation, or mal-information or to partner with or fund nonprofits or other organizations that pressure 

private companies to censor lawful and constitutionally protected speech.

Sec. 8150 prohibits funds to take any discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially, on the basis 

that such person speaks, or acts, in accordance with a sincerely held religious belief, or moral conviction, 

that marriage is, or should be recognized as, a union of one man and one woman.

Items of Interest

DIVESTMENTS and DECOMMISSIONINGS

The Committee is concerned the Services are reducing personnel, operations, and sustainment for aircraft 

and ships prior to the congressional approval of corresponding divestment and decommissioning proposals. 

The Committee notes that over the past several fiscal years, Congress has rejected many of these proposals 

and has provided increased funding for the costs of keeping these assets in service. The Committee is 

specifically concerned by these actions as they relate to the Navy Littoral Combat Ships, Air National Guard

aircraft, and Air Force Reserve Command aircraft. In the case of the Air National Guard and Air Force 

Reserve Command, the divestment of aircraft without identified replacement missions increases uncertainty 

for personnel and local communities. While the Committee understands the phasing required for a 

divestment or decommissioning action, the Committee expects the Services to not initiate these actions until 

formally approved by the congressional defense committees.

DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY PROGRAMS

The Committee also supports training programs for Taiwan, including through the National

Guard State Partnership Program or similar programs, as well as strategic evaluations to improve Taiwan's 

security cooperation programs.

The Committee recommendation also supports institutional capacity building programs for Mexico. The 

Committee supports the inclusion of Mexico in the National Guard State Partnership Program to enhance 

Mexico's counterdrug efforts.

The Committee notes that Colombia has a National Guard State Partnership Program with the South 

Carolina National Guard.

VIRTUAL LANGUAGE TRAINING

The Committee notes that foreign language skills are instrumental in building and maintaining global 

alliances and partnerships and encourages the National Guard Bureau to continue its virtual language 

training program. The Committee further directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to submit a report to 

the congressional defense committees, not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, that includes 
the number of Guardsmen receiving virtual language training and level of proficiency achieved, a description 

of program marketing and sign-up procedures, a listing of classes and languages taught, a comparison of 

language training offered with current State Partnership Program participants, and funding programmed for 

National Guard language training through the future years defense program.

TACTICAL AIR CONTROL PARTY DIVESTITURE

The Committee is concerned about the Air Force's potential divestiture of Tactical Air Control Party units 

from the Air National Guard prior to the completion of an evaluation by the Air Force. Therefore, the 

Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to refrain from taking any action to reduce the number of 

Tactical Air Control Party units in the Air National Guard until the Air Force, in consultation with the National 

Guard Bureau, has completed its evaluation.

COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTERS

The Committee is concerned about reductions in the fiscal year 2024 President's budget request for 

operation of the Air National Guard's four combat readiness training centers. The Committee notes the 

centers' critical role in training airmen through robust joint aerial combat exercises against simulated nearpeer threats. The Committee encourages the Secretary of the Air Force to provide adequate and consistent 

resources for the continuation of such training.

DRUG INTERDICTION AND COUNTER-DRUG ACTIVITIES

The Committee recommendation includes $300,000,000 for the National Guard Counter-Drug Program, of 

which $30,000,000 is provided for equipment, including equipment to enhance the National Guard's digital 

forensics capabilities. The recommendation also includes $30,000,000 for the National Guard Counterdrug

Schools Program.

The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide the following briefings to the House and Senate 

Appropriations Committees not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act:

(1) a briefing on current Administration strategies to counter illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioid production, 

including the Strategic Implementation Plan to Commercially Disrupt the Illicit Fentanyl Supply Chain, and 

any Department of Defense activities and programs in support of these strategies; and

(2) a briefing on the National Guard Governors State Plans Program as it relates to measures to counter the 

flow of illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids into the United States, including a description of plans approved 

and denied by the Department during the previous year.

The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide the following reports to the House and Senate 

Appropriations Committees not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act:

(1) a report on the performance, capacity, and throughput of each of the five counterdrug schools and an 

analysis of whether the current number of schools is meeting training demands; and

(2) a report on commercial technologies that are available, in development, or that could be modified to 

detect or otherwise combat the flow of illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids into the United States.

COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTIONS

The Committee directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review Department of Defense 

Instruction 3000.14, Counterdrug and Counter-Transnational Organized Crime Policy, and Instruction 

3100.0lB National Guard Counterdrug Support Program, and examine whether such documents unduly limit 

the ability of the Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau to support counterdrug efforts under the 

law. The Comptroller General shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 

90 days after the enactment of this Act.