National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 is a comprehensive United States federal law that authorizes Department of Defense spending and sets national security policy. Officially named the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, it was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2023. The legislation provides budgetary authority for military programs and contains numerous policy directives affecting the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Energy national security programs, and intelligence activities.

Overview and legislative history

The legislative process for the annual defense bill began with hearings in the House Armed Services Committee chaired by Mike Rogers and the Senate Armed Services Committee led by Jack Reed. Following passage of differing versions in the House and the Senate, a conference committee reconciled the bills. The final version passed with strong bipartisan support, overcoming debates on issues like abortion policy at military facilities and diversity initiatives. The act was ultimately named in honor of retired Senator James M. Inhofe, a former ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Key provisions and policy changes

A significant policy change extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and authorizes additional security assistance to Taiwan in response to pressures from the People's Republic of China. The act establishes the Pacific Deterrence Initiative as a permanent fund to enhance posture in the Indo-Pacific region. It includes measures to counter adversarial influence, such as prohibiting the use of TikTok on devices owned by the Department of Defense. Other major provisions address modernization of the U.S. nuclear triad, including the B-21 Raider and Columbia-class submarine programs, and mandate a comprehensive review of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Budgetary allocations and financial details

The act authorizes a total of $886.3 billion in national defense discretionary spending for fiscal year 2024. This includes $841.4 billion for the Department of Defense, $32.4 billion for Department of Energy national security programs, and $12.3 billion for defense-related activities outside the NDAA jurisdiction. Major procurement allocations fund 95 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, two Virginia-class attack submarines, and continued development of the B-52J modernization program. The legislation also authorizes a 5.2% pay raise for military personnel, the largest increase in over two decades.

Implementation and impact

Implementation of the act is overseen by the Secretary of Defense and service secretaries like the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force. Key impacts include the acceleration of hypersonic weapon development programs in response to advancements by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and the Russian Armed Forces. The creation of a U.S. Space Force Space National Guard component was not authorized, directing further study instead. The legislation's foreign policy components, particularly support for Ukraine and NATO allies, reinforce the strategic posture outlined in the National Defense Strategy against competitors like the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

Category:2024 in American law Category:United States federal defense and national security legislation Category:118th United States Congress