Senate Passes Fiscal 2025 Defense Bill

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025 has been passed by both chambers of Congress, authorizing a defense budget of $895.2 billion, which includes significant raises for military personnel and various cybersecurity measures. The bill's provisions include funding for defense assistance to Taiwan and a strategy for enhancing internet freedom in Iran, along with a controversial ban on gender-affirming medical treatments for service members' children under military healthcare. The Senate approved the NDAA with a vote of 85-14, while the House passed it 281-140, with bipartisan opposition primarily stemming from the healthcare provisions. Lawmakers expressed concerns over the bill's inability to fully address energy and environmental priorities, despite its focus on nuclear energy and cleanup of contaminated sites. The NDAA now awaits President Biden's signature, but the inclusion of contentious provisions has raised significant debate among lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged the bill's imperfections, emphasizing the necessity of bipartisanship in its passage.