The nearly 3,100-page 2024 National Defense Authorization Act calls for a 5.2 percent pay raise for military personnel and an increase in the overall defense budget by about 3 percent, to $886 billion.
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| US President Joe Biden signs the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, record military spending. (Source: Reuters) |
On December 22, US President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2024, authorizing a record $886 billion in military spending, along with policies such as aid to Ukraine.
The NDAA was passed by the US Congress last week. The Democratic-controlled Senate passed it by a vote of 87-13, while the House voted 310-118 in favor.
The bill covers issues such as military pay raises, the purchase of warships and aircraft, and policies such as support for foreign partners.
The nearly 3,100-page bill calls for a 5.2 percent pay raise for military personnel and an increase in the overall defense budget by about 3 percent, to $886 billion.
This year's NDAA also includes a four-month extension of a law that regulates overseas electronic surveillance of foreigners that is about to expire, which has been widely criticized by privacy groups.
This program allows US security agencies to conduct electronic surveillance programs, through monitoring the emails of non-US citizens abroad without a court order.
With the passage of the new NDAA, the Biden administration is expected to invest in strengthening military capabilities to compete with China and Russia, while strengthening defense and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific with allies such as the UK and Australia.
The document also includes a Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative with aid targets through 2026, including $300 million for Kiev. However, that is far short of the $61 billion aid package that Biden has asked Congress to approve, which has yet to be approved.
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