National Defense Authorization Act History

    Key Legislation

    Year Key Legislation
    2025 One Big Beautiful Bill: A generational investment in America's national security
    2025 SPEED Act: Fundamentally reforming DoD's broken acquisition system
     2024  Quality of Life Panel Report: Creating a future where military families thrive in support of our national security.


    NDAA Histrory

    Fiscal Year Public Law Official Title and Programs / Notes
    2025 118-159 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 - View FY25 NDAA Resources
    2024 118-31 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 - View FY24 NDAA Resources
     2023 117-263 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
     2022 117-81 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
     2021 116-283 William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
     2020 116-48 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
     2019 115-232 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
     2018 115-91 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
     2017 114-328 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
    2016 114-92 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
    2015 113-291 Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
    2014 113-66 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014
    2013 112-239 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
    2012 112-81 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
    2011 111-383 Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
    2010 111-84 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
    2009 110-417 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
    2008 110-181 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
    2007 109-364 John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
    2006 109-163 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006
    2005 108-375 Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005
    2004 108-136 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
    2003 107-314 Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003
    2002 107-107 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
    2001 106-398 Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001
    2000 106-65 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
    1999 105-261 Strom Thurmond Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
    1998 105-85 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Technical Corrections in PL 105-129)
    1997 104-201 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997
    1996 104-106 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996
    1995 103-337 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995
    1994 103-160 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994
    1993 102-484 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993
    1992 102-190 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993
    1991 101-510 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991
    1990 101-189 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991
    1989 100-456 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989
    1988 100-180 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989
    1987 99-661 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987
    1986 99-145 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986
    1985 98-525 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985
    1984 98-94 Working capital funds. CQ Almanac 1983
    1983 97-252 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1983
    1982 97-86 Procurement of ammunition and "Other Procurement". CQ Almanac 1981
    1982 97-86 Procurement of ammunition and "Other Procurement". CQ Almanac 1981
    1981 96-342 Operation and maintenance of DOD and all its components in the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981." CQ Almanac 1980
    1980 96-107 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1980.
    1979 95-485 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1979.
    1978 95-79 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1978.
    1977 94-361 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1977.
    1976 94-106 Military construction of ammunition facilities in the "Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976." CQ Almanac 1975
    1975 93-365 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1975.
    1974 93-155 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1974.
    1973 92-436 Average military training student loads of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1973." CQ Almanac 1972
    1972 92-156 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1972.
    1971 91-441 Procurement of torpedoes and related support equipment; active duty personnel strengths of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1971." CQ Almanac 1970
    1970 91-121 Procurement of other weapons in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1970." CQ Almanac 1969
    1969 90-500 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1969.
    1968 90-22 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1968.
    1967 89-501 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1967.
    1966 89-37 Procurement of tracked combat vehicles in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1966." CQ Almanac 1965
    1965 88-288 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1965.
    1964 88-28 Aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, Appropriation. CQ Almanac 1963
    1963 87-436 Research, development, test, and engineering (RDT&E) for aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels
    CQ Almanac: High-Speed Bomber Stirs Controversy. 
     1962 87-118 Authorizes additional funds on top of PL 87-53 for aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels
    CQ Almanac: Extra Funds Approved For Planes, Missiles, Ships. 
     1962 87-53  Authorizes aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels







Defense Primer - The NDAA Process
From the Congressional Research Service:
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides authorization of appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD), nuclear weapons programs of the Department of Energy, and other defense-related activities. In addition to serving as an authorization of appropriations, the NDAA establishes defense policies and restrictions, and addresses organizational administrative matters related to the DOD. Unlike an appropriations bill, the NDAA does not provide budget authority for government activities. Nevertheless, historically it has provided a fairly reliable indicator of congressional sentiment on subsequent appropriations for particular programs.


The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), FY1961-FY2017

Fiscal

Year

Public Law

Official Title and Programs Added to Scope of Authorization Bill (if any) with citation

1962

87-53

Authorize aircraft, missiles and naval vessel appropriations.

"Extra Funds Approved For Planes, Missiles, Ships." In CQ Almanac 1961, 17th ed., 414-15. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1961. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal61-1373672 .

1962

87-118

"To authorize additional appropriations for aircraft, missiles, naval vessels for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. That is, in addition to the funds authorized to be appropriated during the fiscal year 1962 for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States for procurement of aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels, as authorized by law."

"Extra Funds Approved For Planes, Missiles, Ships." In CQ Almanac 1961, 17th ed., 414-15. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1961. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal61-1373672.

1963

87-436

Research, development, test and engineering (RDT&E) for aircraft, missiles and naval vessels in "Authorize appropriations during fiscal year 1963 for aircraft, missiles, naval vessels for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes."

"High-Speed Bomber Stirs Controversy." In CQ Almanac 1962, 18th ed., 08-416-08-419. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1963. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal62-1326684.

1964

88-28

Aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, Appropriation. "To authorize appropriations during fiscal year 1964 for procurement, research, development, test, and evaluation of aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes."

"$15 Billion Defense Program Authorized." In CQ Almanac 1963, 19th ed., 419-23. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1964. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal63-1317431 .

1965

88-288

Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1965.

1966

89-37

Procurement of tracked combat vehicles in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1966."

"Defense Procurement and Research Act." In CQ Almanac 1965, 21st ed., 684-89. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1966. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal65-1260031.

1967

89-501

Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1967.

1968

90-22

Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1968.

1969

90-500

Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1969.

1970

91-121

Procurement of other weapons in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1970."

"Congress Authorizes Controversial ABM Funds." In CQ Almanac 1969, 25th ed., 257-92. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1970. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal69-1248065.

1971

91-441

Procurement of torpedoes and related support equipment; active duty personnel strengths of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1971."

"Congress Authorizes Defense Funds After Long Debate." In CQ Almanac 1970, 26th ed., 02-380-02-413. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1971. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal70-1293428.

1972

92-156

Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1972.

1973

92-436

Average military training student loads of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1973."

"Defense Procurement: $20.9-Billion for Fiscal 1973." In CQ Almanac 1972, 28th ed., 04-404-04-418. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1973. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal72-1250799.

1974

93-155

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1974.

1975

93-365

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1975.

1976

94-106

Military construction of ammunition facilities in the "Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976."

"Military Procurement: $25.5-Billion Provided." In CQ Almanac 1975, 31st ed., 365-79. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1976. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal75-1214253.

1977

94-361

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1977.

1978

95-79

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1978.

1979

95-485

Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1979.

1980

96-107

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1980.

1981

96-342

Operation and maintenance of DOD and all it components in the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981."

"Congress Clears $52.8 Billion Defense Bill." In CQ Almanac 1980, 36th ed., 47-65. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1981. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal80-1175242.

1982

97-86

Procurement of ammunition and "Other Procurement" in the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1982."

"Defense Bill Makes Most of Reagan's Cuts." In CQ Almanac 1981, 37th ed., 212-30. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1982. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal81-1172236.

1983

97-252

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1983

1984

98-94

Working capital funds in the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984."

"$187.5 Billion Set for Defense Buildup." In CQ Almanac 1983, 39th ed., 175-93. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1984. https://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/cqal83-1198577.

1985

98-525

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985.

1986

99-145

Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986.

1987

99-661

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987.

1988

100-180

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989.

1989

100-456

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989.

1990

101-189

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991.

1991

101-510

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991.

1992

102-190

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993.

1993

102-484

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993.

1994

103-160

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994.

1995

103-337

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995.

1996

104-106

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996.

1997

104-201

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997.

1998

105-85

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998.

1999

105-261

Strom Thurmond Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999.

2000

106-65

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000.

2001

106-398

Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001.

2002

107-107

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002.

2003

107-314

Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003.

2004

108-136

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.

2005

108-375

Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.

2006

109-163

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.

2007

109-364

John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

2008

110-181

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

2009

110-417

Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

2010

111-84

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.

2011

111-383

Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.

2012

112-81

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

2013

112-239

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.

2014

113-66

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

2015

113-291

Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015.

2016

114-92

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.

2017

114-328

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.

Source: Information compiled by the Congress Research Service (CRS) from the Congress.gov and CQ Almanac.

National Defense Authorization Act History
Fiscal Year Public Law Official Title and Programs / Notes
2025 118-159 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 - View FY25 NDAA Resources
2024 118-31 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 - View FY24 NDAA Resources
 2023 117-263 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
 2022 117-81 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
 2021 116-283 William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
 2020 116-48 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
 2019 115-232 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
 2018 115-91 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
 2017 114-328 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
2016 114-92 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
2015 113-291 Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015
2014 113-66 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014
2013 112-239 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013
2012 112-81 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
2011 111-383 Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
2010 111-84 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
2009 110-417 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
2008 110-181 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
2007 109-364 John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007
2006 109-163 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006
2005 108-375 Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005
2004 108-136 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004
2003 107-314 Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003
2002 107-107 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
2001 106-398 Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001
2000 106-65 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
1999 105-261 Strom Thurmond Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999
1998 105-85 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Technical Corrections in PL 105-129)
1997 104-201 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997
1996 104-106 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996
1995 103-337 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995
1994 103-160 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994
1993 102-484 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993
1992 102-190 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993
1991 101-510 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991
1990 101-189 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991
1989 100-456 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1989
1988 100-180 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989
1987 99-661 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987
1986 99-145 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986
1985 98-525 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985
1984 98-94 Working capital funds. CQ Almanac 1983
1983 97-252 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1983
1982 97-86 Procurement of ammunition and "Other Procurement". CQ Almanac 1981
1982 97-86 Procurement of ammunition and "Other Procurement". CQ Almanac 1981
1981 96-342 Operation and maintenance of DOD and all its components in the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1981." CQ Almanac 1980
1980 96-107 Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1980.
1979 95-485 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1979.
1978 95-79 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1978.
1977 94-361 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1977.
1976 94-106 Military construction of ammunition facilities in the "Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976." CQ Almanac 1975
1975 93-365 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1975.
1974 93-155 Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1974.
1973 92-436 Average military training student loads of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1973." CQ Almanac 1972
1972 92-156 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1972.
1971 91-441 Procurement of torpedoes and related support equipment; active duty personnel strengths of each component of the Armed Forces in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1971." CQ Almanac 1970
1970 91-121 Procurement of other weapons in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1970." CQ Almanac 1969
1969 90-500 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1969.
1968 90-22 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1968.
1967 89-501 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1967.
1966 89-37 Procurement of tracked combat vehicles in "Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1966." CQ Almanac 1965
1965 88-288 Armed Forces Appropriation Authorization, 1965.
1964 88-28 Aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, Appropriation. CQ Almanac 1963
1963 87-436 Research, development, test, and engineering (RDT&E) for aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels
CQ Almanac: High-Speed Bomber Stirs Controversy. 
 1962 87-118 Authorizes additional funds on top of PL 87-53 for aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels
CQ Almanac: Extra Funds Approved For Planes, Missiles, Ships. 
 1962 87-53  Authorizes aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels