The Senate is expected to pass a compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act in the coming days, following the House’s bipartisan vote Tuesday night.

Here are some of the provisions included in the bill, according to news reports and a House Armed Services Committee summary:

• $768 billion authorized for national security – an increase over President Biden’s request – though the amount will be finalized through the appropriations process
• 7% pay raise for service members and DOD civilians
• a basic needs allowance for some military families
• a three-year pilot program to help military spouses get paid fellowships across a variety of industries
• expansion of the pilot program providing financial assistance for in-home child care
• expansion of the Defense Innovation Unit into industries and regions that do not have a DIU presence, including in economically disadvantaged communities
• establishment of a two-year deadline to complete PFAS testing at DOD and National Guard installations
• development of a DOD PFAS task force
• a bi-annual survey of service members to understand how neighboring communities are meeting their needs in such areas as housing, family support, and diversity, equity and inclusion – a measure On Base covered after House passage
• prohibition on using private money to fund a state’s Guard deployment to another state, except to help with natural disasters
• removal of commanders from decisions to prosecute some serious crimes, such as rape, sexual assault, murder, manslaughter and kidnapping – a narrower reform than some military justice reform advocates wanted, as com noted
• language stating that service members separated from the military for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine would receive honorable discharges or general discharges under honorable conditions, allowing them to qualify for most or all VA benefits
• an independent Afghanistan War Commission to review the 20-year war

Among the items that were stripped out of the bill were an expansion of the draft to include women and giving the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard.

Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes