PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Held at the desk.

Official summary

Version 55 · Passed Senate · Jul 23, 2020

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

This bill authorizes FY2021 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation.

The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

Procurement, including aircraft, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, shipbuilding and conversion, and missiles;

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation;

Operation and Maintenance;

Working Capital Funds;

Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction;

Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities;

the Defense Inspector General;

the Defense Health Program;

the Armed Forces Retirement Home;

Overseas Contingency Operations; and

Military Construction.

The bill authorizes the FY2021 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies, including those regarding

military personnel;

acquisition policy and management;

transfer of property for law enforcement activities;

financial oversight;

Space Force matters;

artificial intelligence;

advanced microelectronics;

international programs;

nuclear security and energy;

National Guard and Reserve Forces facilities;

compensation and other personnel benefits;

health care;

DOD organization and management;

civilian personnel matters;

diversity and inclusion;

matters relating to foreign nations;

hostage recovery;

emergency alert systems;

the autonomy of Hong Kong; and

strategic programs, cyber, and intelligence matters.

The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure activities, and maritime matters.

The bill authorizes various intelligence-related activities and programs for FY2021.

The bill also authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Energy national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · R–OK

Committees

  • Armed Services Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Held at the desk.

    2. Received in the House.

    3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    4. Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 86 - 14. Record Vote Number: 140.

      Senate roll call 140 · Individual votes
    5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 86 - 14. Record Vote Number: 140.

      Senate roll call 140 · Individual votes
    6. Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 86 - 14. Record Vote Number: 139. (CR S4435)

      Senate roll call 139 · Individual votes
    7. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4434-4448)

    8. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4365-4397, S4399-4414)

    9. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4310-4339)

    10. Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4197)

    11. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4183-4198)

    12. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4084-4085, S4091-4093, S4096-4101, S4114-4117, S4129)

    13. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S3980, S3984-3993, S3996-3998, S4008-4010, S4013-4014)

    14. Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S3642)

    15. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 89 - 4. Record Vote Number: 128.

      Senate roll call 128 · Individual votes
    16. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S3630)

    17. Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 7. Record Vote Number: 127. (CR S3296)

      Senate roll call 127 · Individual votes
    18. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S3278)

    19. By Senator Inhofe from Committee on Armed Services filed written report. Report No. 116-236.

    20. By Senator Inhofe from Committee on Armed Services filed written report. Report No. 116-236.

    21. Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S3170)

    22. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S3170)

    23. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 483.

    24. Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Inhofe. Without written report.

    25. Committee on Armed Services. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Inhofe. Without written report.

    26. Introduced in Senate

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze S.4049 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine S.4049 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine S.4049 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine S.4049 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources