Window on Washington: This Year’s NDAA Ain’t NADA

This article originally appeared in the First Quarter 2024 Benedict’s Maritime Bulletin. Reprinted with permission. Any opinions in this article are not those of Winston & Strawn or its clients. The opinions in this article are the author’s opinions only.

The narrow majorities in both the House and the Senate continue to present headwinds to any legislation. Nevertheless, for the 63rd consecutive year, lawmakers found a way to set aside their differences and enact the annual Defense Authorization Act. Although the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA) includes a Maritime Administration title, differences between the parties prevented the Coast Guard Authorization Act from riding along with the NDAA this year, and some in Congress have suggested moving to a biannual Coast Guard bill process. As in years past, the NDAA includes key maritime-program authorities addressing many of the most pressing challenges facing the industry.