U.S. House Passes Defense Bill with $900 Billion Budget
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the annual defense bill, which outlines a substantial $900 billion budget. This plan includes a 4% pay raise for military personnel, provisions to counter threats from China and Russia, funding for advanced technologies like the Golden Dome missile defense system, and a focus on enhancing military readiness.
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 with a vote of 312-112.
Before reaching President Trump’s desk, the Senate still needs to sign off on the bill, although a prior version was endorsed by them back in October.
The Senate is expected to discuss it next week.
Prior to the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) highlighted the lengthy, 3,000-page document’s goals, which include “codifying President Trump’s 15 executive orders,” ending what he termed the Pentagon’s “woke ideology,” securing U.S. borders, revitalizing the defense industry, and reinstating a “warrior spirit” within the ranks.
This final aim, he noted, would involve reintroducing “merit-based” promotions for military personnel and admissions to military academies.
The executive actions encompass directives to end the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) program, declare a national emergency at the southern border, promote innovation within the U.S. defense sector, establish the Golden Dome missile defense system, and maintain U.S. “drone dominance.”
The DEI program cutbacks are projected to save around $40 million by eliminating previously funded offices and initiatives, while spending related to climate issues would decrease by $1.6 million.
Additionally, defense funding will benefit key allies such as Israel, receiving $60 million for U.S.-made missiles aimed for its Iron Dome defense system.
Ukraine is also set to gain $800 million in military assistance through 2027, enabling them to purchase weapons from U.S. companies.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) stated the bill aims to “reform the Department of Defense’s broken and bureaucratic acquisition process,” ensuring military personnel can acquire necessary tools promptly instead of waiting years for new technology.
Among other provisions, the bill restricts the Chinese government from obtaining land near U.S. military installations and prevents collaboration with Chinese military firms involved in biotechnology R&D unless a waiver is granted.
Another key aspect sponsored by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) obligates notification to Congress members if they are targeted by U.S. counterintelligence.
The legislation also rescinds the authorization for military action in Iraq that followed the U.S. intervention in 2003 and lifts earlier sanctions against Syria that were enacted during the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have hinted at cutting travel funds for Army Secretary Pete Hegseth unless he releases unedited footage of a military operation against a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. Interestingly, a provision aimed at covering in vitro fertilization for active-duty service members was dropped from the bill.
