President Joe Biden officially signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law on Friday, authorizing a historic $886 billion in annual military spending. The legislation encompasses a wide range of provisions, including support for Ukraine, measures to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, and various aspects of the U.S. military and defense policies.
The NDAA, spanning nearly 3,100 pages, received strong bipartisan support in Congress, with the Democratic-controlled Senate approving it with a vote of 87 to 13, and the House of Representatives passing it with a vote of 310 to 118. This annual defense policy bill addresses critical issues such as service member pay raises, procurement of military assets, and support for foreign partners like Taiwan.
Key features of the fiscal 2024 NDAA include a significant 5.2% pay raise for service members and an overall increase of approximately 3% in the nation's total national security budget, reaching $886 billion. The legislation also identifies specific Chinese battery companies deemed ineligible for Defense Department procurement, reinforcing the U.S. stance against certain entities.
In addition to military spending and procurement policies, the NDAA includes a four-month extension of the controversial domestic surveillance authority known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This extension allows lawmakers additional time to assess and potentially reform the surveillance program.
The legislation extends support for Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative until the end of 2026. It authorizes $300 million for the program in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and the subsequent fiscal year. However, this falls significantly short of the $61 billion requested by President Biden to aid Kyiv in countering a Russian invasion that began in February 2022. The bill faced objections related to the Ukraine assistance package, with Republicans linking it to demands for tougher immigration laws.
The NDAA represents a critical piece of legislation that shapes the trajectory of U.S. defense and military policies, addressing both domestic and international security challenges.
