House Passes $900 Billion NDAA for FY 2026

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a comprehensive defense policy bill on Wednesday, authorizing approximately $900 billion for military programs in fiscal year 2026, including a 3.8 percent pay raise for service members and reforms to streamline the Department of Defense's weapons acquisition process. The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, advanced on a bipartisan vote of 312-112 and now moves to the Senate for consideration ahead of lawmakers' holiday break.

The legislation, spanning more than 3,000 pages, addresses a range of priorities amid ongoing tensions between the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump's administration over military management. It provides for improvements in housing and facilities at military bases, aiming to enhance troop readiness and quality of life. Lawmakers emphasized the need to accelerate weapons procurement after prolonged delays in the defense industry, a move described as a key focus for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The bill reinforces U.S. commitments abroad, mandating a minimum of 76,000 troops and major equipment in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and a withdrawal serves American interests;...