Trump Signs $901 Billion Defense Bill With China Curbs, Taiwan Boost and New Oversight

Overview

• The NDAA became law after a 77–20 Senate vote, authorizing a nearly 4% military pay raise.
• The measure bars U.S. federal work with designated Chinese biotech firms, expands outbound investment screening tied to sensitive technologies, and directs a joint drone program with Taiwan while lifting Taiwan security funding to $1 billion.
• It authorizes $800 million to support U.S.-made arms for Ukraine over two years and sets guardrails that hinder reductions below 76,000 troops in Europe and 28,500 in South Korea without consultations and certification.
• Congress requires disclosure of specific orders and unedited videos from U.S. attacks on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, with 25% of the Defense Secretary’s travel budget withheld until compliance.
• The law repeals the 1991 and 2002 Iraq-related war authorizations, lifts comprehensive Syria sanctions, eliminates Pentagon diversity offices and cuts $1.6 billion in climate programs, and enacts major acquisition reforms to speed weapons delivery.