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Senate Passes NDAA: Troop Levels Up, Cuts Diversity Initiatives

12/19/2025

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on December 17, 2025, by a 77-20 vote.
The bill requires maintaining at least 76,000 U.S. troops in Europe and 28,500 in South Korea.
It allocates $800 million for Ukraine and $1 billion for Taiwan's defense.
It repeals past authorizations for Iraq and the Gulf War and ends Department of Defense diversity initiatives, aligning with President Donald Trump's priorities.

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Story summary

The U.S. Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on December 17, 2025, by a 77-20 vote.
The bill requires maintaining at least 76,000 U.S. troops in Europe and 28,500 in South Korea.
It allocates $800 million for Ukraine and $1 billion for Taiwan's defense.
It repeals past authorizations for Iraq and the Gulf War and ends Department of Defense diversity initiatives, aligning with President Donald Trump's priorities.