On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the US House of Representatives narrowly approved the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill, by a vote of 216 to 212. The measure passed largely along party lines, with all but seven Republicans voting in favor and all but six Democrats opposing it.

The NDAA authorizes unprecedented military spending, including pay raises of 5-7% for service members and the formal codification of the Pentagon's name as the "Department of War." House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers stated before the vote, "This topline begins to reverse the damage caused by decades of underinvestment in the US military."

Republicans defended the trillion-dollar spending as essential for supporting the military's ongoing war efforts in Iran, funding defense system development, equipment purchases, and improving troop benefits such as barracks and family housing construction.

Democrats opposed the bill due to its high cost amid cuts to social programs, the unpopular war with Iran—which the Pentagon estimates has cost $37.5 billion so far—and a provision expanding military technology cooperation with Israel. They also criticized the inclusion of the Save America Act, a Trump-backed measure inserted by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, which seeks to restrict mail-in ballots and impose new voter ID requirements.

Senate Democrats had previously blocked their chamber's version of the NDAA in protest of the Iran war, which escalated after a collapsed memorandum of understanding aimed at peace talks. Democratic appropriator Rosa DeLauro expressed disappointment, saying, "The annual NDAA used to be a consistently bipartisan, substantive piece of legislation. I am disappointed that under Republican leadership, it has become just another partisan bill that is written to satisfy the most major Republican voices rather than a serious, nonpolitical framework for our national defense."

Historically considered "must-pass legislation," the NDAA has become law for 65 consecutive years. This year's bill's fate is further complicated by its attachment to the Save America Act. The bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.

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