Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The final defense authorization won't include legislation that would aim to make it easier to export U.S. nuclear technology to friendly nations.
Why it matters: Industry sees the International Nuclear Energy Act as key to expanding U.S. nuclear influence abroad and countering China's growing role in the space.
Driving the news: House and Senate negotiators dropped the final text of the fiscal 2025 NDAA this evening.
- Senators had been pushing to include a series of energy and mining-related amendments, including the international nuclear bill, Economic Development Administration reauthorization and Good Samaritan mining legislation.
- But none made it into the final agreement.
- Negotiators also dropped a provision from the House bill on mineral supply chain disclosures for large capacity batteries procured by the Defense Department.
Between the lines: The Good Sam bill and EDA reauthorization are still likely to become law in the lame duck.
- Good Sam has already passed the Senate and is scheduled to get a vote on the House floor this week.
- The EDA reauth, meanwhile, is attached to the Water Resources Development Act likely to pass before the end of the year.
