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H.R. 2500: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

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H.R. 2500: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

116th Congress · introduced 2019-05-02 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 512.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-05-02 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 36 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 459 (2019): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR2500 (2019-07-12), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 512. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Plain summary

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 This bill authorizes FY2020 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 Procurement, including aircraft, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, shipbuilding and conversion, missiles, and space procurement; 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 FY2020 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel; acquisition policy and management; international programs; National Guard and Reserve Forces facilities; compensation and other personnel benefits; health care; DOD organization and management; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; and strategic programs, cyber, and intelligence matters. The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure activities, and maritime matters. 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. The bill sets forth policies for North Korea nuclear sanctions, paid family leave for federal personnel, limiting the use of criminal history in federal hiring and contracting, defense equipment sales to foreign countries or international organizations, matters relating to Burma, Saudi Arabia human rights and accountability, measures to combat illicit trafficking that finances Al-Shabaab, sanctions with respect to foreign traffickers of illicit synthetic opioids, and a Cable Security Fleet to meet national security requirements.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: Direct Spending and Revenue Effects of H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (2019-06-19); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2500, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (2019-06-27); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2500, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (2019-09-09)

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] reported raising $2.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (5)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Fiscal year
The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr2500 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116