House Passes National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

Action: Last week, the House of Representatives passed its version of the NDAA by a vote of 231-196. The House bill authorizes $892.6 billion in defense spending for fiscal year (FY) 2026, in line with the Administration’s request to Congress (the actual appropriations funding these programs will be included in the FY2026 appropriations bills). The House bill codifies the President’s Executive Orders on military procurement and the Defense Department’s acquisition process as well as efforts to “end left-wing ideology, wokeism, and DEI in the military.” The bill also includes a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers; funding for the Golden Dome missile defense system, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems; and provides additional funds and authorities for the Defense Department to support the Department of Homeland Security’s border security and immigration enforcement operations. The bill funds military operations in the Indo-Pacific to counter China, including $1.5 billion for military construction projects in the region and $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, and maintains military support for Israel, though the bill does not (unlike the current version in the Senate) include additional funding for Ukraine.

Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead^®

• The NDAA typically passes Congress in strong bipartisan fashion. The House’s version of the bill crafted by Republicans saw only 17 Democrats vote in favor and four Republicans vote against. 
• House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL) hailed the bill’s passage: “Today’s vote to advance the FY26 NDAA is a vote to modernize our military, support our troops, and restore American deterrence. As we face the most complex global threat environment since WWII, it’s critical that the United States has a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force to secure our homeland.”
• House Democrats criticized the lack of bipartisanship and opportunities for amendments to the House’s NDAA as well as the cultural provisions in the bill. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) said, “We didn’t get any of the amendments and the debates that we wanted; not a single solitary one. Meanwhile, all manner of different issues that are pure culture war partisan issues were allowed in. I fear that many of those are going to pass.”
• The Senate’s version of the NDAA has yet to be debated on the Senate floor. It is unclear whether the Senate will prioritize passing the NDAA among its agenda of confirming the President’s nominees and completing the FY2026 appropriations process. As in previous years, the House and Senate may simply head to conference to pass a compromise package before the end of the year that can secure 60 votes in the Senate.