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The House on Wednesday approved a $900 billion defense policy bill that includes a pay raise for service members and significant changes to how the Department of War purchases weapons, despite tensions among some congressional Republicans over military management.
The annual National Defense Authorization Act passed 312 to 112, with strong bipartisan support for the legislation. The White House has signaled “strong support,” saying the bill aligns with President Trump’s national security priorities.
“With the NDAA, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are restoring American strength, defending our homeland, standing with our allies, and ensuring the United States remains the most powerful and capable military force the world has ever known,” Speaker Mike Johnson’s office stated in a press release on Wednesday.
The measure authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for many troops and calls for improvements to on-base housing and infrastructure. The bill also reflects a political compromise that includes cuts to climate and DEI initiatives in line with President Trump’s agenda, while granting lawmakers expanded oversight authority and repealing older war authorizations.
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where leaders hope to pass it before the holiday recess. Senators from both parties have raised concerns that the bill does not adequately address military flights over Washington, an issue thrust into the spotlight after a midair collision killed 67 people earlier this year near Reagan National Airport.
The bill also reinforces President Trump’s support for Eastern European allies by requiring at least 76,000 U.S. troops to remain stationed in Europe unless NATO is consulted and a withdrawal is deemed in the national interest. It also authorizes $400 million annually for two years to produce weapons for Ukraine and sets a minimum of 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea.
Climate and diversity programs would see substantial cuts, including $1.6 billion removed from climate spending and the elimination of several DEI offices and training programs.
The bill repeals the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War, a move supporters say will prevent future misuse of the measure. Congress also voted to permanently lift U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad, a change supporters argue is needed to spur economic recovery under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.