This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
On December 17, 2019, the US Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with an 86-8 vote, marking a significant increase in military funding from the $716 billion allocated last year.
The NDAA will fund a wide range of military activities, including warfighting in Afghanistan, shipbuilding, and boosting intelligence efforts against Russia and expanding air fleets, including drones.
The bill also includes a 3.1 percent raise for members of the military, their highest in a decade, and creates a space-based sixth branch of the military, known as the Space Force.
According to Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Space Force's mission will be to deter hostile actions in space against the United States and its allies.
The Space Force will operate within the Department of the US Air Force, similar to the Marine Corps' relationship with the Department of the Navy.
The NDAA also includes sanctions aimed at halting further construction of the $10.6 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is set to double shipments of Russian natural gas to Germany.
US lawmakers have warned that the pipeline would send billions of dollars to Moscow and increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension.
Despite partisan discord on Capitol Hill, the NDAA passed Congress for the 59th straight year, demonstrating that military needs can rise above bitter partisan divisions.
However, Republican Senator Rand Paul voted against the bill, citing concerns over bloated military spending and the continuation of US involvement in multiple wars.
