The House of Representatives voted 312-112 on Wednesday to approve a sweeping defense policy bill that authorizes $900 billion in military programs for the coming year. The 3,000-page legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, includes significant provisions for troop compensation, weapons procurement reforms, and continued support for Ukraine.
The bill provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for many military members and funds improvements to military housing and facilities. It also overhauls how the Department of Defense purchases weapons, emphasizing speed after years of delays from the defense industry.
The legislation maintains a strong U.S. military presence in Europe by requiring the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed there unless NATO allies are consulted. The bill also sets a minimum requirement of 28,500 troops in South Korea. Additionally, it authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons for Ukraine, demonstrating congressional commitment to supporting the country against Russian aggression.
The bill includes a controversial provision regarding boat strikes in the Caribbean targeting suspected drug smugglers. It demands that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provide Congress with full, unedited video of a September strike near Venezuela that killed survivors of an earlier strike. The legislation withholds part of Hegseth's travel budget until the Pentagon releases this footage and allows Congress to review the orders for the strikes.
The measure makes significant cuts aligned with the Trump administration's priorities. It reduces climate-related spending by $1.6 billion, reversing years of military investment in addressing climate change as a national security threat. The bill also cuts $40 million in funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Congress is formally ending the war in Iraq by repealing the 2003 authorization for the invasion. Supporters say the repeal prevents future abuses and reinforces that Iraq is now a strategic partner. The legislation also permanently removes U.S. sanctions on Syria imposed in 2019, allowing international companies to invest in reconstruction efforts under the new Syrian government.
The bill strikes bipartisan compromises on several issues. While cutting climate and diversity efforts, it boosts congressional oversight of the Pentagon and includes provisions to keep U.S. troops stationed abroad. However, the legislation faced criticism from some senators regarding military flight restrictions over Washington following a deadly midair collision earlier this year between an Army helicopter and a commercial jetliner near Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Democrats criticized Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson for stripping a provision to expand in vitro fertilization coverage for active duty military personnel.
The White House has signaled support for the legislation, which now heads to the Senate for consideration before lawmakers depart for the holiday break.