JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.—President Donald Trump signed a $738 billion defense bill on Dec. 20, calling it “the largest-ever investment” in the U.S. military.
The bill authorizes the creation of a Space Force and the first-ever paid family leave for federal employees. It also addresses a wide range of potential threats from China.
Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before flying to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he is expected to spend his Christmas holiday.
“Today’s signing of the 2020 NDAA is a watershed event in the truest sense of the word,” Trump said.
The legislation establishes the Space Force as a sixth branch of the military, one of Trump’s top priorities for the Pentagon.
“With my signature today, you will witness the birth of the Space Force,” Trump said, calling it “a big moment.”
“Amid grave threats to our national security, American superiority in space is absolutely vital.”
Congress approved the NDAA in a strong bipartisan vote. The bill cleared the House on Dec. 11 by a vote of 377–48; on Dec. 17, the Senate voted 86–8 to approve the legislation and send it to Trump’s desk.
The NDAA sets the budget, expenditures, and policies for the Pentagon for the fiscal year 2020, which runs from Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020.
The Bill Addresses China Threat
China is mentioned more than 200 times in the NDAA’s conference report, the compromise product negotiated between the House and the Senate via conference committee. The legislation contains a series of provisions that aim to address threats from Beijing, including requiring reports on China’s overseas ambitions and its military relations with Russia.There has been a bipartisan push for months to combat national security threats posed by Chinese-made public transit vehicles. Two Chinese firms—state-owned rail car manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. and Chinese battery and electric bus maker BYD—would likely be affected.
The NDAA also includes language that prohibits the U.S. military from “entering into or renewing a contract” for buying Chinese drones over concerns that the products could be used for spying.
The bill also contains language that calls on Beijing to “follow through on full implementation” of new regulations effective on May 1, and to tighten control on all fentanyl analogs.
The bill also focuses on strategic competition with Russia.