S. 4049: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-23 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Held at the desk.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-23 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 12 recorded votes in our records. Latest: Senate vote 138 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-23), Amendment Agreed to. See all
Where it stands now: Held at the desk. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
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 2021

Plain summary

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 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.

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

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A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 4049, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (2020-06-24); CBO cost estimate: S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (2020-07-02); CBO cost estimate: S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (2020-10-01)

Recorded votes

Senate vote 127 (2020): On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed, S4049 (2020-06-25): Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 128 (2020): On the Motion to Proceed, S4049 (2020-06-29): Motion to Proceed Agreed to
Senate vote 129 (2020): On the Motion to Table, S4049 (2020-07-01): Motion to Table Agreed to
Senate vote 132 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-21): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 133 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-21): Amendment Agreed to
Senate vote 134 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-21): Amendment Agreed to
Senate vote 135 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-22): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 136 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-22): Amendment Agreed to
Senate vote 137 (2020): On the Cloture Motion, S4049 (2020-07-22): Cloture Motion Agreed to
Senate vote 138 (2020): On the Amendment, S4049 (2020-07-23): Amendment Agreed to
Senate vote 139 (2020): On the Cloture Motion, S4049 (2020-07-23): Cloture Motion Agreed to
Senate vote 140 (2020): On Passage of the Bill, S4049 (2020-07-23): Bill Passed

Words on this page, explained (6)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems that do tasks that usually need human judgment, such as recognizing images, understanding language or making predictions. Laws about AI often cover how it is used, tested, disclosed or limited.
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

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-116s4049.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/116/s>

Record fed-us-cong116-s4049 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116