The House and Senate have unveiled their compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), setting a budget cap of $895.2 billion.
This newly established figure falls below the budget limits mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), even amid Senate efforts for a higher allocation. The bill proposes $883.7 billion for fiscal year 2025, with $849.9 billion earmarked for Department of Defense programs. Additionally, it allocates $33.3 billion for national security initiatives in the Department of Energy and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, along with $512.4 million for defense-related activities. Further funding sources outside the NDAA contribute to reaching the $895.2 billion total.
While this deal clarifies a significant aspect concerning defense spending approval, it introduces a contentious new issue regarding restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender children of military personnel.
In an interview with Breaking Defense, Rep. Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed uncertainty about his support for the bill due to these provisions. “I believe this undermines the bipartisan essence of the bill,” he stated during the Reagan National Defense Forum.
Smith remarked on the ongoing debates about appropriate treatments for minors facing gender dysphoria and emphasized support for the Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate these concerns. However, he criticized the proactive ban on care, stating it denies essential health services to service members’ children and serves a partisan agenda.
He noted that it remains to be seen whether Democrats will back this NDAA version, which usually garners strong bipartisan support. House GOP leaders aim to enhance the bill’s chances by implementing rules for a simple majority vote.
Smith also highlighted that the previous Senate Armed Services Committee version proposed $878.4 billion for the Defense Department and $33.4 billion for related activities, totaling $923.3 billion when accounting for other defense expenditures. This figure significantly exceeded the FRA’s $895.2 billion cap by about $25 billion.
In contrast, the House’s proposal aimed to remain under the FRA ceiling with $883.7 billion. It is important to note that the NDAA primarily outlines defense policy rather than funding specifics. The final budget will ultimately be determined by appropriators, with expectations that the government’s continuing resolution, set to expire on December 20, may be extended until March.
