OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: F-35 funds saved in marathon markup

by Martin Matishak and Kristina Wong - 04/29/15 6:56 PM ET

THE TOPLINE: The House Armed Services Committee kicked off its marathon markup of the fiscal 2016 defense policy bill on Wednesday.

The $611 billion national defense authorization act (NDAA) sets the spending and policy guidelines for Defense Department efforts and programs in the next fiscal year.

The session began with the committee approving the Emerging Threats and Capabilities subpanel’s part of the legislation, which included an undisclosed amount for a joint U.S.-Israeli anti-tunneling initiative that could prevent terrorist attacks.

{mosads}The GOP-led panel next rejected a Democrat-backed amendment that would have funneled money away from the pricey F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and given it to the National Guard and Reserve.

Proceedings almost ground to halt over a provision in the “chairman’s mark” of the bill that stops U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from placing the greater sage grouse on the endangered species list. The at-risk bird is a presence around many military bases.

The panel later approved a provision that urges the Defense Department to award the Purple Heart to six military members killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Despite several hours of work, some of the most contentious policy decisions still lie before the committee, including the fate of the A-10 Warthog — with Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass) pushing a compromise — Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding and a revamp of the military retirement system.

The legislative sausage-making is expected to last well into Thursday morning.

PENTAGON: NO OBLIGATION TO PROTECT SHIPS FROM IRAN: The U.S. has no military obligation to defend Marshall Island-flagged vessels, according to a Defense Department representative, following the confrontation between a shipping vessel from that country and the Iranian navy.

“I am not aware of any specific agreement or treaty that calls for us to protect Marshallese vessels. We do have a clear interest in protecting freedom of navigation,” said the representative.

The statement comes after Iran fired warning shots at a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel moving into a shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing it to pull closer toward the shoreline. Iranian forces then boarded the ship.

The Pentagon also revealed that the Iranian navy harassed a U.S.-flagged cargo ship last week.

At one point, the Iranian ships “encircled and followed” the U.S.-flagged cargo ship, but eventually withdrew from the vessel, said the spokesman.

Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said the incident lasted for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, and involved “actions the shipmaster of the Maersk Kensington interpreted as aggressive.”

A Navy spokesman said the cargo ship was “not in Iranian waters.”

He added it is not uncommon for Iranian ships to patrol the Strait of Hormuz, “but what is unusual in this case is the encircling.”

“Most encounters are safe and professional. This stands out,” he said.

Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Iran is trying to “antagonize” the United States and the rest of the world with aggressive naval moves.

ARMY TO SHRINK FOOTPRINT IN EUROPE: The Pentagon announced the U.S. Army would reduce its aviation forces in Germany by about 1,900.

To make up for the drawdown, the service will rotate soldiers and equipment through on a continuous basis.

“Aviation assets will be augmented even further in the event we need to surge capabilities beyond normal levels,” the Defense Department said in a statement.

In addition, 2,850 family members will also be leaving, the Pentagon said. Three local-national employee positions will be reduced in the near term, the statement said.

“Long-term impacts on local national employment will not be clear until the restructuring is complete,” the statement added.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter spoke with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen about the shift on Wednesday, and promised to stay in close touch throughout the process.

“The Secretary and the Minister expressed mutual appreciation for the strong military relationship between the United States and Germany and both are looking forward to meeting again in Europe,” according to the Pentagon.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

– Air Force memo warns lawmakers against keeping A-10 airborne

– Corker predicts Senate vote on Iran next week

– House Dems bolster Obama veto threat

– Rubio, GOP demand information on Iran’s support for terrorism

– Cotton challenges Iranian’s courage

Please send tips and comments to Kristina Wong, kwong@digital-staging.thehill.com, and Martin Matishak, mmatishak@digital-staging.thehill.com.