The final compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 reflects modest progress and ongoing challenges in U.S. defense spending and national security. The bill, which passed the Senate on Wednesday, Dec 18, now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk.
While the legislation avoids some of the most harmful proposals, it still falls short of fostering accountability and a peace-oriented strategy. At the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), we seek a world free of war and militarism, and this NDAA reminds us of how far we have to go.
Positive Elements: Spending Limits, No Draft Expansion, and AI Guardrails
A key bright spot is that the NDAA adheres to the $895 billion topline spending set in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, avoiding additional unnecessary increases. While still far too high, this demonstrates respect for the existing bipartisan agreement. The bill also avoids expanding selective service (draft) registration to include women—a harmful proposal FCNL opposed. Expanding the draft would continue reliance on military solutions and compulsory service, undermining principles of peace and equity.
Importantly, safeguards were added regarding nuclear weapons and artificial intelligence (AI). The policy ensures AI cannot compromise nuclear safeguards or bypass human oversight, an effort FCNL has supported throughout the year. “Positive human actions” remain required for any decision to employ nuclear weapons, a small but critical step toward control over dangerous technologies.
Areas of Concern: Escalating Costs, Missing Accountability, and Entrenched Discrimination
Despite these silver linings, the NDAA will worsen unnecessary spending on weapons of war while Congress refuses to fund affordable housing, health care and education. The bill authorizes $895 billion for the Department of Defense and nuclear programs—a notable increase from last year. Such spending deepens militarization while neglecting diplomacy, economic security, and climate resilience.
The NDAA also increases funding for nuclear weapons, fueling the global arms race when we need more focus on arms control and nuclear disarmament. Expanding nuclear capabilities diverts resources from urgent needs and heightens global insecurity.
Another disappointment is the removal of language enforcing a Pentagon audit, a provision that was initially included in the House version of the bill. The Department of Defense remains the only federal agency that has never passed an audit. Without oversight, billions of taxpayer dollars continue to be wasted or mismanaged.
FCNL remains extremely concerned with a provision that would bar the Pentagon from citing information on casualties and fatalities from the Gaza Health Ministry, which ultimately would hide the death toll from the American public and administration itself.
Finally, while the compromise NDAA removed most of the dangerous rhetoric regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community, some harmful provisions remain. As a faith-based organization, we strongly believe in the inherent dignity and equal worth of each person, and we are disappointed that the final NDAA includes any amendment which reinforces a long history of discrimination.
A Call for Change
While the FY 2025 NDAA includes small victories, it highlights the need for systemic change. A sustainable future requires prioritizing peacebuilding, human needs, and accountability over endless military spending. FCNL remains committed to reallocating resources toward diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and domestic human needs.
A sustainable future requires prioritizing peacebuilding, human needs, and accountability over endless military spending.
Congress must rein in excessive Pentagon spending. As people of faith and conscience, we will continue to urge our leaders to choose peace over war and human needs over militarization. The FY 2025 NDAA reflects compromise but also missed opportunities to advance a more peaceful, secure future. FCNL will keep working until that vision becomes reality.
