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Lawmakers are trying to finalize the nation's annual defense policy bill and a separate measure to fund the federal government through March 2025.
The House approved the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act — which resulted from the House-Senate conference — 281 to 140 Dec. 11.
The Senate is now on course to pass the NDAA this week, authorizing $895 billion for the Department of Defense and related agencies.
The NDAA's final topline is $25 billion lower than the price tag Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Senate Armed Services Committee's ranking member, advocated for. Wicker will wield the chairman’s gavel for the SASC next year.
The NDAA's biggest headline is the authorization for all service members to receive a 4.5% pay raise next year. Those ranking E-1 through E-4 can expect 10% more for a 14.5% total pay raise.
It also requires the secretary of the Air Force to consult with the director of the Air National Guard about a plan to sustain and recapitalize the component's fighter fleet.
Other NDAA highlights, per a National Guard Bureau analysis:
Requires the secretary of defense to reimburse the members of the reserve component who travel more than 50 miles for inactive-duty training and muster duty for their "actual and necessary expenses" of travel, as well as travel-related expenses.
Requires distance education programs necessary for Phase I or Phase II Joint Professional Military Education requirements to include means for students to complete these programs "in a fully remote status and without requiring any in-person attendance."
A legislative proposal to authorize certain reserve component general officers to serve in an active status for up to 60 days after ceasing to occupy a general officer position.
Authorizes two additional C–40B aircraft for the Air Guard and would maintain C-130 total aircraft inventory at 271 with a sunset date of Oct. 1, 2025.
The bill increases the end strength for both the Army and Air Guard. It authorizes 325,000 personnel for the Army Guard and 108,300 personnel for the Air Guard — 600 above the president's fiscal 2025 budget request.
For Reserve on Active Duty, the NDAA authorizes 30,845 Active Guard Reserve positions for the Army Guard and 25,982 positions for the Air Guard. That amount is 246 Guardsmen above the president's fiscal 2025 budget request.
Free dental care to members of the Selected Reserve and their families — an effort NGAUS supports — was not included.
NGB’s analysis of the fiscal 2025 NDAA is available here.
Congress also failed to pass individual appropriations measures funding federal agencies, so they are working against a deadline of midnight Friday to pass a continuing resolution and avert a government shutdown.
A CR would fund agencies at their current budget levels through March 14, 2025, but does not permit these monies to be used for new programs.
As of publication, the nomination of Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak to become director of the Air Guard remains on the Senate’s executive calendar.
If the Senate does not hold a floor vote on this nomination by the end of the 118th congressional session, it must be resubmitted. NGB also currently lacks a confirmed vice chief.
— By Jennifer Hickey
