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3w ago

House Passes $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill in Narrow Vote

The measure creates a Pentagon 'executive agent' to expand U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation, a change that could complicate Senate negotiations.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., leaves the chamber as members debate a series of measures including a continuing resolution to fund the government and a spending package for the Iran war, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Cannon House Office Building as Republican lawmakers passed a bill to fund the federal government through Dec. 4, in Washington, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The US Capitol, pictured on July 20.
The Capitol is seen in Washington, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Overview

  • The House approved its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act by a 216-212 vote on Wednesday, with six Democrats joining most Republicans and seven Republicans opposed.
  • The bill authorizes about $1.15 trillion, funds pay raises for service members and orders increases in troop levels and weapons production that mirror the White House request.
  • Lawmakers added conservative policy riders that limit TRICARE coverage for gender-affirming care, bar transgender girls from DoD school sports, and make approval more likely for qualified personnel to carry personal firearms on bases.
  • Section 219 would require the defense secretary to name a Pentagon executive agent to coordinate and accelerate U.S.-Israel research, testing and industrial cooperation, a step critics say could entrench joint projects and make the partnership harder to reverse.
  • The package will go to the Senate where Democrats recently blocked that chamber’s NDAA over the Iran war, and senators are expected to seek removal or revision of many House additions while separate tracks for war supplemental funding remain under debate.