National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 was a comprehensive law that authorized $725 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and national security programs at the Department of Energy. For everyday citizens, the bill’s most significant impacts included a 1.4% pay increase for members of the military and an expansion of TRICARE health benefits, allowing service members to keep their dependent children on their insurance plans until age 26.

The legislation also addressed several high-profile military policies, most notably establishing the process for the eventual repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to allow gay and lesbian service members to serve openly. Additionally, it provided funding for ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, improved support for "Wounded Warriors" and their families, and authorized the procurement of advanced military equipment like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.