Congress Approves $886 Billion Defense Bill, Biden Set to Sign

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with a record $886 billion in annual military spending. The bill includes provisions such as aid for Ukraine and measures to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. It authorizes pay raises for troops and purchases of military equipment. The NDAA, which has been passed for 63 consecutive years, will now be sent to President Joe Biden to sign into law. The final version of the bill does not address divisive social issues that were included in the Republican-majority House's version. The bill also includes a four-month extension of a disputed domestic surveillance authority.