Full Breakdown
Senate Passes $914 Billion Defense Policy Bill Amid Government Shutdown
10/10/2025, 7:42:42 AM
Legislative Breakthrough
On October 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, authorizing approximately $914 billion for national defense. The Senate voted 77-20, overcoming a month-long stalemate that had delayed the bill's progress. This bipartisan effort allows the House and Senate armed services committees to begin the conference process to reconcile differences between their respective versions of the legislation.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) emphasized the urgency of the vote, stating, “We simply cannot delay this process any longer.” The Senate had previously stalled due to disagreements over which amendments would be debated, requiring unanimous consent from all senators to proceed.
Key Amendments and Provisions
The NDAA includes significant funding for military operations, troop pay, and modernization efforts. It authorizes new submarines, fighter jets, and a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel. Additionally, the bill extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028, increasing authorized funding to $500 million.
Among the amendments passed, one co-sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) enhances the Pentagon's authority to address drone threats near military installations. Gillibrand noted, “Current laws give the Department of Defense quite limited authority to mitigate these threats.”
However, several proposed amendments were rejected, including one from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) aimed at blocking funding for retrofitting a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for use as Air Force One. Schumer criticized the expenditure, stating, “That’s money that shouldn’t be wasted.”
Criticism and Opposition
The bill faced opposition from some Democrats, particularly regarding the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) proposed amendments to limit the deployment of National Guard troops without state approval, which were ultimately rejected. Duckworth expressed her concerns about the implications of military deployments in civilian contexts, stating, “Ordering our troops to intimidate the very Americans they were willing to risk their lives to protect does nothing to make our nation stronger.”
Additionally, Duckworth secured a commitment from Wicker to hold a hearing on the Trump administration's use of the National Guard in Democratic-led cities, addressing concerns over civil rights.
What's Next
With the Senate's passage of the NDAA, the focus now shifts to the House and Senate armed services committees as they negotiate a final version of the bill. The House's version has a lower topline of approximately $893 billion, which could lead to contentious discussions. The goal is to finalize a compromise by Thanksgiving, ensuring that military funding and operations continue without disruption amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, the Senate passed one of the most important legislative priorities to enable the modernization of our military and strengthen our national security,” — Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee
- “Hundreds of drones have been spotted in the vicinity of military installations over the past few years, including military-sensitive sites like Langley Air Force Base,” — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Co-sponsor of the drone authority amendment
- “Retrofitting this foreign-owned luxury jet to make it fully operational will cost hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.” — Senator Chuck Schumer, on the Qatari jet amendment
- “Let’s be clear: Ordering our troops to intimidate the very Americans they were willing to risk their lives to protect does nothing to make our nation stronger,” — Senator Tammy Duckworth, on military deployments in cities
The Senate's passage of the NDAA marks a significant step in the legislative process, reflecting both bipartisan support for national defense and ongoing tensions regarding military oversight and domestic deployments.
