The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, authorizing $901 billion in War Department spending — $8 billion above President Donald Trump’s request.
The 3,000‑page measure passed 312‑112, with 18 Republicans and 94 Democrats voting against it. The bill now heads to the Senate, where bipartisan approval is expected next week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the legislation codifies 15 of Trump’s executive orders, “ends woke ideology at the Pentagon, secures the border, revitalizes the defense industrial base, and restores the warrior ethos.”
Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, criticized the bill for not doing enough to rein in the Trump administration. “The biggest concern I have is that the Pentagon, being run by Secretary (Pete) Hegseth and by President Trump, is simply not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law,” Smith said.
Key provisions include a nearly 4% military pay raise, faster arms procurement, development of the Golden Dome missile defense system, and limits on reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe and South Korea without allied consultation. The bill also provides $400 million annually for two years to produce weapons for Ukraine.
The measure eliminates Pentagon diversity, equity and inclusion offices, cuts $1.6 billion in climate spending, repeals the 1991 and 2002 Iraq War authorizations, and lifts sanctions on Syria. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force remains intact.
Other provisions require the Pentagon to release unedited footage of strikes near Venezuela, with part of Hegseth’s travel budget withheld until compliance. A non‑defense measure mandates the FBI disclose when it investigates presidential candidates or federal office seekers.
Democrats criticized the removal of expanded in vitro fertilization coverage for troops, while some Republicans said the bill did not go far enough in curbing overseas commitments.
The White House has voiced strong support for the legislation.