FY2022: The National Defense Authorization Act

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is legislation that Congress has enacted every year since 1961. The NDAA authorizes funding and sets policy for U.S. military and defense programs. Since 2000, funds authorized under NDAA have more than doubled. The FY2022 NDAA comes at a time when the U.S. is withdrawing from foreign military operations, making it an opportune moment to redirect money and resources towards pressing global problems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, as well as domestic needs, such as access to healthcare, education, child care, and housing.