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HR 6395 116th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Accidents Administrative law and regulatory procedures Advanced technology and technological innovations Advisory bodies Afghanistan Agricultural conservation and pollution Air quality Alliances Alternative and renewable resources Appropriations Armed Forces Retirement Home Arms control and nonproliferation Asia Aviation and airports Business investment and capital Buy American requirements California Cardiovascular and respiratory health Caribbean area

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Introduced: March 26, 2020 Introduced by: Smith, Adam Democratic · Washington See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 48 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 2, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 1, 2021
Became Public Law No: 116-283.
Jan 1, 2021
Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 81 - 13. Record Vote Number: 292.
Jan 1, 2021
Cloture on the veto message invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 12. Record Vote Number: 291. (CR S8001)
Jan 1, 2021
Veto Message considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S8000-8001)
Jan 1, 2021
Passed Senate over veto: Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 81 - 13. Record Vote Number: 292.
Dec 31, 2020
Veto Message considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7987-7990)
Dec 30, 2020
Motion to proceed to consideration of the veto message on H.R. 6395 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 12. Record Vote Number: 290.
Dec 30, 2020
Cloture motion on the veto message presented in Senate.
Dec 30, 2020
Veto Message considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7982-7983)
Dec 29, 2020
Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.
Dec 28, 2020
The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
Dec 28, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the question on passage of H.R. 6395, the objections of the President to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Dec 28, 2020
The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President. (consideration: CR H9160-9163)
Dec 28, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 8, Rule XX, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question on passage of H.R. 6395, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding, until later in the legislative day.
Dec 28, 2020
Passed House over veto: Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 322 - 87 (Roll no. 253).
Dec 28, 2020
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced the unfinished business was on passage of H.R. 6395, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. (consideration: CR H9163-9164)
Dec 28, 2020
Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1271, the Chair announced that the unfinished business was the further consideration of the veto message of the President on H.R. 6395.
Dec 28, 2020
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Dec 24, 2020
The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President. (consideration: CR H9150; text: CR H9150)
Dec 24, 2020
The Chair announced that the objections of the President to H.R. 6395 would be spread at large upon the Journal and the veto message would be printed as a House Document (116-174).
Dec 24, 2020
The Chair announced that pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1271, further consideration of the veto message and the bill will be postponed until Monday, December 28, 2020.
Dec 24, 2020
Pursuant to section 4 of H. Res. 1271, further consideration of the veto message on H.R. 6395 will be postponed until Monday, December 28, 2020.
Dec 23, 2020
Vetoed by President.
Dec 11, 2020
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 13. Record Vote Number: 264.
Dec 11, 2020
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 11, 2020
Cloture on the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 13. Record Vote Number: 263. (CR S7437)
Dec 11, 2020
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7437, S7442-7443)
Dec 11, 2020
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 13. Record Vote Number: 264.
Dec 11, 2020
Presented to President.
Dec 10, 2020
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7381-7393, S7395-7396, S7398-7416)
Dec 9, 2020
Cloture motion on the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395 presented in Senate. (CR S7318)
Dec 9, 2020
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7317-7318)
Dec 8, 2020
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 335 - 78, 1 Present (Roll no. 238).
Dec 8, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395.
Dec 8, 2020
Mr. Smith (WA) brought up conference report H. Rept. 116-617 by previously agreed to special order. (consideration: CR H6919-6935)
Dec 8, 2020
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
Dec 8, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395, the Chair put the question on adoption of the conference report and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until a time to be announced.
Dec 8, 2020
The House proceeded to consider the conference report H.Rept. 116-617 as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7021)
Dec 8, 2020
Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 8, 2020
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Dec 3, 2020
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Dec 3, 2020
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. McGovern asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider a conference report to accompany H.R. 6395; that all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration be waived; that the conference report be considered as read; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the conference report to its adoption without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate; and (2) one motion to recommit if applicable.
Dec 3, 2020
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Dec 3, 2020
Conference report H. Rept. 116-617 filed. (text of conference report: CR H6145-6816)
Dec 3, 2020
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 116-617 filed.
Dec 3, 2020
Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.
Dec 2, 2020
Senate insists on its amendment, agrees to request for a conference, appoints conferees Inhofe; Wicker; Fischer; Cotton; Rounds; Ernst; Tillis; Sullivan; Perdue; Cramer; Thune; Scott FL; Blackburn; Hawley; Reed; Shaheen; Gillibrand; Blumenthal; Hirono; Kaine; King; Heinrich; Warren; Peters; Manchin; Duckworth; Jones.
 Votes taken on this bill 10
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jan 1, 2021 Senate · vote #292 On Overriding the Veto H.R. 6395 Veto Overridden 81–13 See who voted →
Jan 1, 2021 Senate · vote #291 On the Cloture Motion H.R. 6395 Agreed To 80–12 See who voted →
Dec 30, 2020 Senate · vote #290 On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 6395 Agreed To 80–12 See who voted →
Dec 28, 2020 House · vote #253 On Passage, Objections of the President to the Contrary Notwithstanding Passed 322–87 See who voted →
Dec 11, 2020 Senate · vote #264 On the Conference Report H.R. 6395 Agreed To 84–13 See who voted →
Dec 11, 2020 Senate · vote #263 On the Cloture Motion H.R. 6395 Agreed To 84–13 See who voted →
Dec 8, 2020 House · vote #238 On Agreeing to the Conference Report Passed 335–78 See who voted →
Nov 18, 2020 House · vote #222 On Closing Portions of the Conference Passed 396–8 See who voted →
Jul 21, 2020 House · vote #152 On Passage Passed 295–125 See who voted →
Jul 21, 2020 House · vote #151 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 201–219 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 17

14 agreed to 3 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 2,682 — In the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Nov 16, 2020
HAMDT 845 Takano, Mark Amendment makes military education benefits count as federal educational assistance funds and limits the avai… Agreed to Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 840 Dean, Madeleine Amendment provides up to $10,000 in immediate assistance to pay down the balance of private student loans, an… Agreed to Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 839 Pocan, Mark Amendment sought to reduce the overall authorization level by 10%; excluding military personnel, DoD federal … Failed Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 838 Neguse, Joe Amendment adds the text of H.R. 823, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, to the bill and permane… Agreed to Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 837 DeGette, Diana Amendment adds the text of H.R. 2546, the Protecting America's Wilderness Act, to the bill. Agreed to Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 836 Jayapal, Pramila Amendment sought to strike the statutory requirement that the Pentagon provide annual Unfunded Priorities lis… Failed Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 835 Omar, Ilhan Amendment sought to establish a policy framework for the accelerated withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanist… Failed Jul 21, 2020
HAMDT 847 Smith, Adam Amendments en bloc comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 116-457 as en bloc No. 2: No… Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 846 Panetta, Jimmy An amendment numbered 167 printed in House Report 116-457 to express the sense of Congress that the decision … Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 844 Houlahan, Chrissy An amendment numbered 19 printed in House Report 116-457 to require that any Federal law enforcement officer … Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 843 Adams, Alma S. An amendment numbered 17 printed in House Report 116-457 to extend CARES student loan protections for private… Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 842 Gallego, Ruben An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 116-457 to clarify and extend sanctions related to the const… Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 841 Smith, Adam Amendments en bloc comprised of the following amendments printed in House Report 116-457 as en bloc No.1: Nos… Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 834 — Amendment prohibits the use of funds for new nuclear testing in fiscal year 2021. Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 833 Escobar, Veronica Amendment requires certifications be made to Congress when the President deploys active duty military within … Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
HAMDT 832 — Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1053, the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the tex… Agreed to Jul 20, 2020
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

This bill authorizes FY2021 appropriations and sets forth policies for the Department of Defense (DOD) and other programs and activities. 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 National Defense Sealift Fund;
  • the Defense Health Program;
  • the Armed Forces Retirement Home;
  • the Space Force;
  • Overseas Contingency Operations; and
  • Military Construction.

The bill also authorizes the FY2021 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 Force facilities;
  • compensation and other personnel benefits;
  • health care;
  • matters relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019);
  • DOD organization and management;
  • civilian personnel matters;
  • matters relating to foreign nations; and
  • strategic programs, space activities, cyber operations, and intelligence matters.

The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure activities, and maritime matters.

The bill authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Energy national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The bill also sets forth policies regarding certain federal activities related to artificial intelligence, including implementation by the President of a National Artificial Intelligence Initiative to support research and development, education, and training programs.

The bill establishes measures related to financial intelligence, anti-money laundering, and countering the financing of terrorism. These include expanding information sharing requirements among agencies that are tasked with administering efforts to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism, as well as authorizing training and technical assistance to facilitate these measures.

The bill reauthorizes and sets forth policies for the Coast Guard, including measures related to its personnel and organization. It also addresses other maritime matters such as navigation, shipping, and ports.

Further, the bill sets forth policies for and addresses additional matters related to

  • homeland security;
  • veterans affairs;
  • communications;
  • intelligence;
  • science, space, and technology;
  • natural resources;
  • oversight and reform;
  • financial services; and
  • semiconductor production.

For more detailed information, see Congressional Research Service Report R46714, FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act: Context and Selected Issues for Congress; Congressional Research Service In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process; and Congressional Research Service In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA.

What's happening now January 2, 2021

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

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 Bill text 9 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
 Lobbying activity 1

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6395: William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6395/
MLA
"H.R. 6395: William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6395/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6395, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6395/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6395: William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6395/)
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