Chair Cardin Hails Senate Passage of National Defense Bill, Including Key State Department Priorities and Iran Internet Freedom Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which marks the fourth consecutive year the Department of State Authorization Act will be enacted into law and includes Chair Cardin’s bipartisan Iran Internet Freedom Act. 

“Each year, the NDAA provides Congress the opportunity to address the evolving challenges of our time, reaffirming America’s global leadership and strengthening the foundation of our national security,” said Chair Cardin. “This year’s NDAA once again includes the Department of State Authorization Act, which will advance the Department’s efforts to modernize its workforce, strengthen security infrastructure, confront adversaries, and expand U.S. influence worldwide. It also supports our diplomats, their families, and our locally employed staff, who stand at the forefront of advancing American values and interests abroad.”

“Restoring the practice of regularly passing a bipartisan State Authorization bill stands as a significant achievement for this Committee, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening American diplomacy and leadership—a proud tradition that must endure,” continued Chair Cardin. “From improving passport services to enhancing security infrastructure, this legislation equips our foreign policy professionals with the tools needed to lead in an increasingly complex world. It advances efforts to deter the wrongful detention of Americans abroad and provide additional support for their family members. It also bolsters our partnerships in Africa, the Americas, and international institutions like the United Nations. Enactment of this year’s State Authorization bill will mark a decisive step toward strengthening our nation’s leadership and advancing our shared priorities on the global stage.”

“The NDAA’s inclusion of the Iran Internet Freedom Act supports the Iranian people against censorship and internet blackouts imposed by the repressive regime,” concluded Chair Cardin. “This legislation, introduced earlier this year on the second anniversary of protests sparked by the regime’s murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, represents our strong support for the Iranian people. It authorizes $30 million over two years through the Open Technology Fund to provide open and secure internet access for all Iranians—empowering human rights defenders, journalists, and marginalized groups silenced by the Iranian regime. This bill reflects our enduring commitment to the Iranian people and their universal rights.”

Key highlights of the Department of State Authorization Act:

• Enhancing Strategic Competition with China: Expands the U.S. presence in the United Nations and other international organizations and streamlines the opening of diplomatic missions, including small island states
  
  
• Modernizing Workforce and Processes: Requires targeted recruitment strategies for civil servants, extends paid internship eligibility to recent graduates, and modernizes human resources and the Foreign Service assignment process
  
  
• Securing Diplomatic Infrastructure: Requires new protocols to protect State personnel against foreign commercial spyware and accelerates infrastructure maintenance and construction domestically and overseas
  
  
• Deterring Wrongful Detentions and Supporting Americans Detained Abroad: Enhances efforts to assist wrongfully detained Americans, expands travel advisory campaigns, and provides additional authorizations to implement sanctions related to wrongful detention
  
  
• Improving Passport Services: Calls for expedited passport issuance through electronic systems and a new mobile application, reducing processing times
  
  
• Supporting Global Partnerships: Increases support for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summits and the Summit of the Americas to advance human rights, security, and economic goals
  
  
• Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Efforts: Expands investigative authority for transnational human trafficking violations
  
  
• Advancing Public Diplomacy and Space Exploration: Supports international exchanges, participation in global expos, and safety aboard the International Space Station

The full text of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 is available HERE.

The text of the Department of State Authorization Act is available HERE. 

The text of the Iran Internet Freedom Act is available HERE. 

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