House passes $1.15 trillion defense bill

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.15 trillion annual defense policy bill on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, sending the contentious legislation to the Senate where its future is uncertain. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by a vote of 216 to 212, with most Democrats opposing the measure over its cost and connection to the ongoing U.S. military involvement in Iran.

The bill authorizes a pay raise for service members ranging from 5% to 7%, expands the size of the military branches, and increases investments in weapons production and emerging technologies. It also includes a provision to formally rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a change projected to cost up to $125 million. The legislation typically garners broad bipartisan support, but this year’s vote was largely along party lines, with only six Democrats voting in favor and seven Republicans opposed.

Democratic opposition centered on the high price tag, which one senior lawmaker estimated approaches $1.6 trillion when including separate funding for the Iran conflict and weapons stockpiles, as well as on several policy riders. These included amendments that block funding...