Here’s What’s in the $901 Billion Compromise Defense Authorization Bill

Lawmakers could vote as soon as this week on a 3,086-page bill to authorize key military and national security programs. Known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, the sweeping legislation describes the various programs and policies the U.S. government may pursue in a given fiscal year. This authorization is separate from the defense appropriations act that’s needed to fund these authorized programs. Released on Dec. 7, the latest NDAA language is the House’s attempt to reach a compromise with the Senate on the overall spending levels to be authorized for national security programs in fiscal year 2026. An earlier House version of the bill largely aligned with an $893 billion budget request from President Donald Trump, but the Senate sought a higher $925 billion authorization....