WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded final passage in the Senate today of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an $883 billion package authorizing funding for our nation’s armed services for fiscal year 2025. The NDAA also includes several provisions that Senator Coons championed. It now moves to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

"In an increasingly fragile and insecure world, it’s more important than ever that our military has the capability to defend the homeland, protect our allies and partners overseas, and secure the rules-based international order that allows America and the rest of the world to prosper,” said Senator Coons. “This NDAA keeps our armed forces strong through robust investments in research and development and boosts morale for our most important national security assets – our service members – through historic pay raises. I’m also proud that several of the crucial bills I’ve authored to address foreign policy challenges were included in this year’s NDAA, including my U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, Countering Wrongful Detention Act, and HBCU Africa Partnerships Act. This is not a perfect bill, and I am deeply disappointed House Republicans chose to push through a last-minute, harmful provision that doesn’t trust our servicemembers to make health care decisions for their children. However, the NDAA is crucial for our national security and I’m glad to support its passage."

The fiscal year 2025 NDAA includes authorization for programs that are timely and necessary for U.S. national defense. Notably, the bill includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. The NDAA also authorizes increased resources for housing, health care, child care, and spousal support. Additionally, the bill authorizes $143.8 billion in research, development, testing, and evaluation to tackle current and foreseeable challenges; $17.5 billion for science and technology programs; $33.5 billion for shipbuilding and the procurement of seven battle force ships; and over $15.5 billion for military construction projects.

Today’s NDAA also includes large pieces or the entirety of several foreign policy bills that Senator Coons has championed:

  • U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act: Introduced alongside Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the bill authorizes the U.S. Department of State to create a new congressionally chartered foundation, funding public-private partnerships to support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas.
  • Countering Wrongful Detention Act: Introduced last month by Senators Coons and James Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and French Hill (R-Ark.), this legislation will create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home.
  • HBCU Africa Partnerships Act: Senators Coons, Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced this bill last year to encourage the expansion of research partnerships between historically Black colleges and universities and federal agencies with the goal of advancing development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional information on these pieces of legislation included in the NDAA will be sent in forthcoming press releases.

Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS).