House passes NDAA that excludes AI state‑preemption and CBDC ban
The House narrowly passed a roughly $900–901 billion NDAA (final passage 312–112, rule 215–211) that leaves in place state‑level AI rules by excluding an AI state‑preemption provision and omits a ban on a U.S. central bank digital currency, while adding China‑targeted tech measures (outbound investment screening, bans on some China-linked biotech contracts), an Artificial Intelligence Futures Steering Committee, a troop pay raise and other items. Conservatives revolted over the CBDC omission and other matters, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson to win last‑minute promises to pursue a CBDC ban and other floor votes to secure enough GOP support, though several hardline Republicans still opposed the bill.
📌 Key Facts
- The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act with the rule narrowly approved 215–211 and the final passage vote 312–112.
- The enacted House package does not include provisions preempting state AI laws and excludes a prohibition on a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC).
- The bill funds roughly $900 billion (reported around $900–901B) and includes a range of measures such as an Artificial Intelligence Futures Steering Committee, an outbound investment‑screening regime, bans on DoD contracting with certain China‑linked biotech/genetic‑sequencing firms and components, authority to use troops at the border, DEI prohibitions, a 3.8% military pay raise, a maritime‑strike footage oversight penalty, and academy athletics policy changes.
- Conservative GOP lawmakers vocally opposed the NDAA’s omission of a CBDC ban and other provisions; several members (including Reps. Chip Roy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michael Cloud, Greg Steube, Keith Self and others) signaled opposition or were undecided before the floor votes.
- House Republican leadership secured the votes by making last‑minute promises and commitments—Speaker Mike Johnson pledged to push for a CBDC ban in the next appropriations vehicle and offered other concessions (including promised future floor votes on ethics/trading restrictions and other bills)—and Majority Leader Steve Scalise promised a floor vote that led Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to flip her vote.
- Vote dynamics showed volatility: a small group of Republicans flipped to support the rule (including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tim Burchett and Lauren Boebert), Thomas Massie remained the lone GOP no on the rule in some counts, leadership held the rule vote open for over an hour, and House GOP considered alternative paths (bringing the NDAA under suspension requiring two‑thirds support) if the rule failed.
📊 Relevant Data
Less than 0.1% of U.S. minors take gender-affirming medication, according to a study of teenagers with private insurance.
Less than 0.1% of U.S. minors take gender-affirming medication, study finds — NBC News
Black/African American youth were the least likely to have received a gender dysphoria diagnosis (Pr = 0.43, 95% CI) compared to other demographic groups.
Demographic Differences in Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis and Access to Gender-Affirming Care Among United States Adolescents — SAGE Journals
In the US Army, the percentage of White soldiers decreased from 61.7% to 53.3%, while the percentage of Hispanic soldiers increased from 11.4% to 17.6%, based on racial/ethnic trends up to October 2022.
Active Component Demographics — US Army
In 2023, 32.3% of unbanked households in the US are Black and 33.4% are Hispanic, while Black Americans comprise about 13% of the US population and Hispanic Americans about 19%.
Underbanked US population grows to 14.2%, FDIC finds — Banking Dive
Migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have fallen sharply in 2024, with the monthly number of encounters with citizens of Guatemala decreasing 81% from 34,693 in December 2023 to 6,420 in August 2024.
Migrant encounters at U.S.-Mexico border have fallen sharply in 2024 — Pew Research Center
Net migration to the US is projected to be close to half a million people in 2025, down from 2.2 million in 2024.
Immigration and Changes in Labor Force Demographics — Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The piece argues that while MAGA and a pro‑tech conservative bloc have converging interests—especially around federal preemption and anti‑censorship—any alliance will be opportunistic and unstable and risks regulatory capture and public harms if pursued without safeguards."
📰 Sources (7)
- Speaker Mike Johnson secured the NDAA rule by making last‑minute promises, including to 'go to war' to attach a CBDC ban to the next appropriations bill due in late January.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says she and Johnson spoke directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who vowed to shut down alleged NGO funding to the Taliban.
- Johnson promised a future vote to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, per Luna.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene flipped her vote after Majority Leader Steve Scalise promised a floor vote next week on her Protect Children’s Innocence Act.
- Rule vote dynamics: Luna, Greene, Tim Burchett and Lauren Boebert flipped to 'yes'; Thomas Massie remained the lone GOP 'no'; Johnson held the vote open for just over an hour.
- House passage vote 312–112; rule narrowly passed 215–211.
- Affirms exclusion of AI state‑preemption and CBDC ban in the enacted House package.
- Details outbound investment screening regime and bans on DoD contracting with Chinese biotech/genetic sequencing firms and certain China-linked components.
- Confirms the overall ~$900B topline and House vote timing while outlining additional included measures (border troop use authority, DEI prohibitions, 3.8% pay raise).
- Highlights retention of the maritime‑strike footage oversight penalty and inclusion of academy athletics policy.
- Conservatives are publicly rebuking Speaker Mike Johnson over the NDAA’s exclusion of the Anti‑CBDC Surveillance State Act that he had promised to attach in July.
- Rep. Chip Roy says he will oppose final passage (while giving limited grace on the rule); Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Michael Cloud and Greg Steube also plan to vote against the bill; Rep. Keith Self demanded leadership 'fix' the bill immediately.
- House GOP leadership is uncertain the rule can pass and is considering bringing the NDAA under suspension (requiring two‑thirds support) if the rule fails; dozens of House Democrats are expected to back the legislation.
- House Rules Committee advanced the NDAA Tuesday night, setting up a House floor debate and vote Wednesday.
- Multiple conservatives (Reps. Eric Burlison, Tim Burchett, Keith Self, Michael Cloud) say they are undecided on the procedural rule vote; Rep. Greg Steube voiced process frustrations.
- Opposition centers on the omission of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) ban and the absence of anti-abortion provisions.
- With a razor-thin majority, Speaker Mike Johnson can lose only two GOP votes on the rule, putting passage at risk.
- Final NDAA does not include provisions preempting state AI laws.
- Final NDAA also excludes a prohibition on a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC).
- Creates an 'Artificial Intelligence Futures Steering Committee' for long-range AI policy recommendations.