House Approves Massive $901bn US Defense Bill Amid Fierce Debate
So, here’s what’s happening right now in Washington. The US House of Representatives has passed a huge new National Defense Authorization Act — the NDAA — and it’s drawing a lot of attention. This bill authorizes a record-breaking $901 billion in military spending for the 2026 fiscal year, and even though there was strong opposition from both sides, it still moved forward with a solid majority. The final vote was 312 in favor and 112 against , and the bill is now headed to the Senate, where it’s expected to pass next week before being signed into law by President Donald Trump.
What makes this NDAA interesting is how wide-ranging it is. The document is more than 3,000 pages long and includes the usual military modernization measures aimed at keeping pace with countries like China and Russia. At the same time, there’s a big focus on improving conditions for service members. An almost 4% pay rise has been included, along with upgrades to military housing — things troops have been asking for.
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But there’s also a geopolitical angle. Lawmakers insisted on including provisions that reinforce the US commitment to European security. For example, the bill guarantees $400 million a year in military assistance for Ukraine for the next two years, and it requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops in Europe unless NATO allies agree to any changes.
At the same time, several programs that President Trump strongly opposed were cut. Funding for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — as well as climate-related programs — was slashed by about $1.6 billion in total.
Despite the broad support, the process was far more turbulent than usual. There’s growing tension between Congress and the Trump administration over transparency and control of the military. One of the strongest signals from lawmakers is a new requirement forcing the Pentagon to release more information about recent lethal strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. These attacks, ordered earlier this year, have been widely criticized as illegal, and Congress now wants full access to unedited footage and operational orders. If Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth does not comply, 25% of his travel budget will be stripped .
On the political front, hardline conservatives complained that the bill doesn’t go far enough in scaling back US involvement abroad, while Democrats argued that the legislation still fails to fully restrain the Trump administration. Even so, key committee leaders described the bill as a necessary step to maintain military readiness and restore proper congressional oversight.
Now the attention shifts to the Senate, but for now, the House has made its position clear: despite disagreements, this massive defense package is moving ahead.
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