National Defense Authorization Act

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the authorizing legislation for the nation’s national security spending. It also offers Congress an opportunity to weigh in on national security policies, programs, and strategies. Passed by Congress every year since 1961, the NDAA is considered must-pass legislation. While many policies included in the NDAA are binding, the spending levels authorized by the NDAA are in practice closer to suggestions, which appropriators routinely ignore when they actually appropriate funds for national security. Still, both the spending levels and the policies enshrined in the NDAA have serious implications for taxpayers. As such, we closely track the NDAA’s progress each year and work to support sound, budget-informed strategies for meeting our nation’s national security needs.