National Defense Authorization

The fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act is nearing the finish line, according to knowledgeable congressional aides.

One aide said Monday that deliberations across both chambers have concluded and a compromise measure has been written, with the only remaining issues being hashed out at the"congressional leader level." 

Lawmakers hope to file the bicameral compromise package by the end of the week to send it to the White House by Christmas. The House is likely to vote first on the measure, with the Senate teeing up a second vote as one of its last acts before lawmakers head home for the holidays. 

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) said on the floor Monday that he is "hopeful that we are close to beginning the process of moving a bipartisan bill through both chambers."

"The NDAA has been passed without fail for decades with the cooperation from both sides, and I hope this year there is no exception," he said. "Few priorities matter more than providing for our national defense and taking care of our troops in uniform and their families."

The House passed its version of the bill (H.R.8070) in June, but the full Senate never debated its Armed Services Committee’s version (S.4638). Aides have not disclosed how the major differences between the two bills have been reconciled.