President Joe Biden signed the $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Monday, despite objections to provisions restricting medical care for transgender youth under the military’s Tricare health system. The bipartisan bill, a cornerstone of Pentagon policy and budget priorities, dropped several contentious proposals but retained language barring treatments for minors that “could result in sterilization.”
Biden criticized the measure, arguing it targets transgender families and undermines military recruitment and retention by denying essential healthcare to service members’ children. LGBTQ+ advocates warned the provision could force families to leave the military, while supporters claimed it refocuses resources on core military objectives.
The bill passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support, although most House Democrats and a minority of Senate Democrats opposed it over the transgender care restrictions. House Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith called the measure “bigoted” and harmful to transgender communities.
The legislation also includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and provisions to improve housing, childcare, and medical access for military families. Controversial proposals, such as adding $25 billion to Biden’s defense budget request and reversing Biden-era Pentagon policies, were dropped during negotiations.
This NDAA maintains Biden’s $895 billion budget proposal, allocating $850 billion to the Department of Defense and $33.5 billion to nuclear programs under the Department of Energy. Congress must still pass a separate spending bill for fiscal year 2025 early next year.
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