The US House has passed the 2025 version of the National Defense Bill.
The vote was 281 to 140 in favor of the measure. But Democrats clearly were not totally in support of the measure.
“The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is one of the most important annual bills that Congress works on — with a 60-plus year tradition of bipartisan passage given its importance to our service members and national defense,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “In this year's version, I was encouraged to see consensus provisions that will benefit Rhode Islanders and those serving our nation —a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers, a 4.5% raise for all others who serve, authorization for a second Virginia-class submarine, a Special Envoy to Sudan, and a greater focus on our regional security agreements. Unfortunately, Speaker Mike Johnson decided to detonate a bipartisan bill by inserting an extreme, partisan culture war provision at the 11th hour that I cannot support.
Over on the Senate side Senator Jack Reed thanked the House for its support--while also urging Senate lawmakers to take up the measure immediately.
“This NDAA will make America stronger and more secure. It includes future-oriented policies, cost-effective investments, and battlefield improvements to safeguard the nation, support our forces, and reform the Pentagon. It’s a major victory for our service members and their families that improves their pay, health, housing, and more. This bill ensures the continued excellence of our all-volunteer force – by far the most dominant, capable, and advanced military fighting force in the world. It wisely invests in our undersea capabilities, boosts innovation, and supports the technology and capabilities our war fighters need to deter aggression and prevail on any future battlefield. It will strengthen the U.S. position amid strategic competition and bolster our economic advantage,” said Senator Reed.
Reed is on the Senate Armed Services Committee as well as the Appropriations Committee.
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