This NDAA is also better than what either the Senate or House originally passed on their own, and hard work clearly went in to finding ways to continue supporting Ukraine despite an admin that isn't interested in doing so.

Votes to pass this NDAA are expected in the coming days.

It's also remarkable to step back and realize just how much US support for Ukraine has ended. It's unlikely it will ever return to levels seen under the last administration as long as Trump is in office, and this legislation does not guarantee new arms to Ukraine.

So what to make of all this?

First, this is the first and likely only legislation passed by Congress to support Ukraine in 2025.

Second, it's hard to force the admin to arm Ukraine. That USAI money isn't mandatory spending. But the NDAA does minimize potential harm.

Sec. 8363: The Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act from Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. @amyklobuchar.com.

Here's a big win: the Senate passed this legislation to support operations to return Ukrainian kids stolen by Russia, and it made it into the final NDAA.

A key goal here is to make sure congressionally appropriated funds to arm Ukraine are being used as intended—essentially, it doesn't want the Trump admin forcing Ukraine or allies to reimburse the US for weapons it already sent or pledged to send.

Congress is creating new reporting requirements to understand exactly how the admin is using PURL, what it's sending, and to ensure that it isn't double-dipping by getting reimbursed by Europe for arms already paid for by Congress under USAI.

Sec. 1245: Oversight of US arms sales for Ukraine.

Here's a lengthy but important section. The Trump admin replaced military assistance with arms sales to Europe, largely through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). But few have understood how it's working.

Repeatedly this year, the Trump admin has threatened to end intelligence support for Ukraine.

Sec. 1244 creates new oversight mechanisms requiring Congress to be notified immediately if that happens, signaling there would be serious backlash to such a move.

Here’s an important point to note: The Trump administration doesn’t want to provide arms to Ukraine without getting paid to do so. Congress is reasserting that it is indeed in the US interest to arm Ukraine. The American public also agrees, according to recent polls.

Remember in June when the Pentagon seized 20k anti-drone interceptors built for Ukraine? Here's a refresher from @kyivindependent.com if not.

Sec. 1243(7) creates new requirements to make that more difficult, and requires the Pentagon to ensure whatever is seized is ultimately replaced for Ukraine.

The Trump administration likely has billions in remaining PDA and USAI authorities, but has not used them this year (this NDAA also mandates reporting on exactly how much remains).

This bill authorizes $400m to USAI for this year and next, and allows it to be used until 2029.

First, a quick reminder on how the US (used to) militarily aid Ukraine:

Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA)=direct transfers of arms from US stocks.

Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI)=issuing contracts to build new arms for Ukraine.

Sec. 1242: Regardless of any Trump peace proposals, Congress is extending its prohibition on the use of funds for the recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territory, in keeping with decades of US policy and helping to deter Russia from future aggression.