SASC Chairman Reed Leads Advancement of National Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC -- After negotiating a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) agreement, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the Ranking Member of SASC, and U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), to release this year's reconciled defense bill.

Totaling $883.7 billion, the 2025 NDAA authorizes investments for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and national security programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to safeguard the nation, enhance our deterrence capabilities, and strengthen America's defense industrial base. The $883.7 billion topline includes $849.9 billion for DOD programs, $33.3 billion for national security programs at DOE and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, and $512.4 million for other defense-related activities.

The NDAA sets defense policy and investment priorities for the next year, including military readiness, training and operations; infrastructure construction and maintenance; and research and development programs. The FY 2025 NDAA includes a 4.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for America's servicemembers, an additional 10 percent pay raise for junior enlisted personnel, a 2 percent pay raise for DOD civilian employees, and enhances our servicemembers' quality of life.

"The NDAA is foundational for our national defense. This forward-looking, bipartisan bill prioritizes our servicemembers and their families. It authorizes critical projects, provides direction to guide the Department of Defense, and ensures the continued excellence of our all-volunteer force - by far the strongest military in the world. It is the product of months of bicameral work and wisely invests in our undersea capabilities, boosts innovation, and supports the technology and capabilities our warfighters need to deter aggression and prevail on any future battlefield," said Senator Reed.

In order to pass the 64^th consecutive NDAA, both chambers must approve this reconciled bill and send it to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Earlier this year, both HASC and SASC reported out separate versions of the 2025 NDAA. The Chairman and Ranking Members of the committees, the so-called 'Big Four' then worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to bring their two bill versions into agreement, hammering out a bicameral compromise package.

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