H.R. 5009 is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. It sets policy and authorizes spending for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy national security programs, intelligence activities, and several other federal agencies. Rep. David P. Joyce introduced it on July 27, 2023, and it became Public Law No. 118-159 on December 23, 2024.
What does this law cover?
The law spans multiple divisions. Division A covers DOD programs, from buying aircraft and ships to setting military pay. Division B authorizes military construction projects. Division C covers Department of Energy national security programs, including nuclear weapons activities. Division F is the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2025, which includes the UAP provisions. Division G covers State Department operations.
What does it do for military pay and benefits?
Section 601 increases basic pay for enlisted personnel in pay grades E-1 through E-4 by 10%, effective April 1, 2025. Certain E-5 personnel also receive smaller increases. These changes come on top of a 4.5% basic pay increase for all service members effective January 1, 2025. The law also raises the maximum skill proficiency bonus from $12,000 to $55,000 per year, and expands the Basic Needs Allowance by raising the income threshold from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty guideline.
What are the UAP provisions?
Title LXVIII covers unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Section 6801 requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a review of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). That review must cover how AARO has carried out its duties under the FY2022 NDAA, including the process for UAP reporting and coordination with DOD, the intelligence community, and other government and non-government entities. The Comptroller General must then report findings to the congressional intelligence committees, congressional defense committees, and congressional leadership. Section 6802 sets end dates for existing GAO audit and briefing requirements tied to AARO's historical record report on UAP, terminating them 90 and 180 days, respectively, after delivery of the final volume of that report.
What else stands out in this law?
The law requires DOD to establish a counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) task force to review existing guidance and issue updated directives for commanders dealing with drone incursions at military installations. It also bars DOD from accepting F-35 deliveries above set limits until DOD certifies to Congress that it is implementing specific improvement plans. On the intelligence side, the NSA must establish an AI security center, and new whistleblower protections allow intelligence community employees to disclose classified information to inspectors general even without the appropriate clearance at the time of disclosure.
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Related Intelligence
AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office)
The Pentagon office established in 2022 to detect, track, and resolve UAP across air, sea, space, and transmedium domains.
Open file →DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)
The U.S. military intelligence agency that funded and oversaw AATIP-era research and produced reference documents on advanced aerospace topics.
Open file →National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
The FY2025 NDAA introduced by Sen. Jack Reed would authorize defense spending and includes a UAP funding restriction tied to congressional disclosure.
Open file →Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
S. 4443 authorizes intelligence funding for fiscal year 2025 and includes provisions on UAP oversight, whistleblower protections, and classification reform.
Open file →