The House of Representatives passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, and it showcased a surprising level of partisanship. Historically, both Democratic and Republican members have supported this annual defense bill, but there’s been a noticeable shift in recent years—especially with the FY2026 iteration.
The final vote tallied at 231-196, with 17 Democrats siding with the majority and 192 opposing the bill. Key Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries from New York, expressed their disapproval.
Democrats spent considerable time voicing their concerns over revisions led by the GOP, particularly regarding transgender-related issues.
Several amendments from Republican representatives passed mainly along party lines. One by Rep. Nancy Mace, for instance, restricts access to certain spaces for cadets at the Academy of Transgender Services. Another amendment, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Patronis from Florida, seeks to remove regulations favoring electric or hybrid vehicle usage within the Department of Defense, although it received some cross-party support.
Rep. Cory Mills, also from Florida, proposed amendments to ban Pride flags and other ideological symbols from military facilities.
Rep. Adam Smith, a prominent Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, indicated he would vote against the bill if a specific GOP amendment passed. He criticized Republicans for allowing only Democratic-led amendments to be put to a vote when the House Rules Committee deliberated earlier.
“The rules focus on divisive topics rather than bolstering our national security with substantive amendments. If these proposals go through, I will not support the bill,” Smith stated, emphasizing that the NDAA has traditionally set aside partisan disputes to prioritize the nation’s defense.
Rep. Sara Jacobs from California previously noted her opposition to amendments related to transgender matters, stating, “A lot of people here are receiving gender-affirming care. Even things like fillers and Botox qualify as gender-affirming care.”
This sparked a negative response from Mace, who exclaimed, “It’s ridiculous! You’re absolutely ridiculous.”
Among the Republicans who opposed the NDAA were figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her skepticism regarding foreign aid funding associated with it.
On the Democratic side, those supporting the bill included Jared Golden from Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington, and several others.
The NDAA outlines the U.S. defense and national security policies for the year. The Senate is set to review its own version, and both chambers will need to reconcile their differences before sending it to the President’s desk for approval.
