The House has authorized a finalized National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2022, authorizing $768.1 billion in defense spending after a series of delays, amendment disputes, and political tension. The NDAA was signed minutes after the House passed a measure to avert a first-ever government default, clearing the way for Congressional Democrats to expedite their year-end legislative agenda and focus on President Biden's social and energy policies.

This week, the Biden administration delayed suspensions and firings for federal employees until 2022 despite 97 percent compliance with the mandate.

Alternately, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the Department of Defense (DOD) will not pay National Guard members who refuse to receive to comply with the federal vaccine mandate.

On the morning of August 3, 2021, Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) Officer George Gonzalez was killed during an attack while stationed at the Metrobus platform outside the Pentagon.