United States lawmakers are preparing to pass a US$901 billion defence policy bill by the end of the year, which would codify several of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders and includes $8 billion more in spending than the White House had called for.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would authorise $400 million in military aid for Ukraine and a 3.8% raise for enlisted troops, though it does not directly allocate funds.
“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act helps advance President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump’s executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalising the defence industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos,” said House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican.
Versions of the NDAA were passed by the House and the Senate earlier this year. The newly-released finalised bill must be passed by both chambers again before being signed into law by Trump, with the House planning to consider the bill this week.
The bill authorises an annual $400 million in security aid for Ukraine through fiscal 2027, extending current spending levels.
Under the NDAA, sanctions on Syria will also be permanently repealed, and investment in China-based developers of technology like artificial intelligence would be curbed.
It would codify executive orders from Trump that would send active-duty troops to patrol the U.S. border with Mexico. The bill would also require technology and software to be developed for Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system, which he had similarly called for in an executive order.
The bill aims to cut climate initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which Johnson claimed were “harmful” and “unnecessary”. This would include restricting the Department of Defence’s use of electric vehicles.
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