The Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, passed Thursday afternoon, would create the Cyberspace Solarium Commission — a 13-person committee containing representatives from both elected branches of government and the private sector to suggest a concrete national policy for cyber warfare.

Why it matters: Senators like Ben Sasse (R-Neb.,) who drafted the Solarium language, and John McCain (R-Ariz.) have long argued that the U.S. needs a definitive cyber doctrine explaining what the U.S. responses will be to which types of cyber attacks and when cyber or physical engagement is necessary.

The background: The complaint predates the Trump administration — both the current president and Barack Obama argued that having no doctrine gives them greater flexibility.

• The Solarium Commission's name is taken from President Eisenhower's commission to determine cold war strategy.