House Committee Approves US Cyber Force Provision

Late Wednesday, a provision requiring the Pentagon to commission an independent study on the creation of a U.S. Cyber Force was added to the House version of the defense policy bill.

The House Armed Services Committee unanimously adopted an amendment for this assessment shortly before approving the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 57-1.

The legislation now moves to the full House, which is expected to review the $895 billion measure next month.

Panel Democrats ultimately withdrew their support for the amendment after facing opposition from Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the committee’s ranking member, who opposes the creation of a new service. Despite this, the proposal was included in the final en bloc of amendments — bypassing debate — at the end of the panel’s nearly 12-hour markup session.

Attention now shifts to the Senate, where the Armed Services Committee will consider its draft of the extensive policy roadmap next month.