U.S. Senate Passes $895 Billion National Defense Authorization Act

By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate approved an $895 billion bill that sets policy for the Pentagon, amidst a contentious transgender medical care provision for minors.

The Senate backed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a vote of 85 to 14. Having passed the House of Representatives last week, the bill is now set to be signed by President Joe Biden, according to congressional supporters.

This year's NDAA allocates a historic $895 billion in military spending for ships, aircraft, and weapons, and includes measures to strengthen U.S. competitiveness against geopolitical adversaries like China and Russia. The bill also aims to enhance the quality of life for U.S. military personnel.

Key provisions include a 14.5% pay rise for the lowest-ranking troops and a 4.5% increase for others, reflecting a commitment to support service members. It also designates funds for military housing, schools, and childcare.

However, the legislation restricts the military health program, TRICARE, from covering certain gender-affirming treatments for service members' transgender children if such care poses a risk of sterilization, leading some Democrats to oppose the bill.

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked, "The NDAA is not perfect, but it still makes several important advances Democrats fought for" before the vote.

Transgender Rights a Political Focus

The inclusion of the transgender provision highlights how transgender issues have emerged as a significant topic in U.S. politics. Former President Donald Trump and many Republicans have targeted transgender rights as part of their campaign strategy during the 2024 elections, successfully retaining control of the House and gaining the Senate and White House.

The NDAA previously passed the House with a vote of 281 to 140, with a number of Democrats voting against it.

This year’s version of the NDAA includes increased aid for Israel and provisions to boost military resources to deter illegal border crossings from Mexico.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the bill only mandates a report on Defense Department efforts to capture "lessons learned" from the ongoing conflict, reflecting a shift in some Republican attitudes towards continued aid to Ukraine, even though the NDAA is not the primary vehicle for supporting Kyiv.

The fiscal 2025 NDAA represents a compromise between Democrats and Republicans, resulting from weeks of closed-door negotiations. Importantly, it did not include certain Republican initiatives concerning social issues, such as prohibiting TRICARE from covering gender-affirming care for transgender adults.

The NDAA is a significant piece of legislation and has been enacted annually for over six decades, signaling bipartisan acknowledgment of its importance. While it sets Pentagon policy, it does not allocate funding for these programs; such funding must be approved separately in a spending bill for the fiscal year ending in September 2025. Completion of that legislation is unlikely before March.