National Defense Authorization Act

Senators Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz filed bipartisan amendments to strip language in the National Defense Authorization Act that weakens helicopter ADS‑B requirements and replace it with their earlier aviation safety bill after the deadly D.C. crash, drawing sharp criticism from NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and major transportation unions who say the NDAA language is a significant safety setback. The NDAA has been brought to the Senate floor with amendment votes scheduled (the House has already advanced the bill), and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said leaders could instead quickly pass a separate aviation bill requiring ADS‑B In for airlines and revoking DoD transmission exemptions to address the concerns.

The House passed a roughly $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act that bars cutting U.S. troop levels in Europe below 76,000 and in South Korea below 28,500 without required assessments and certifications, preserves the NATO SACEUR post, includes a 4% enlisted pay raise and about $400 million in Ukraine security assistance for each of FY2026 and FY2027. The bill also adds China-focused measures — including outbound investment screening, biotech procurement bans and expanded Taiwan support — restricts pauses on Ukraine weapons deliveries and clarifies reclamation of undelivered equipment, and contains policy shifts such as repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and lifting Caesar Act sanctions on Syria.