In a sharply divided session, the US House of Representatives approved a defense funding bill with a 216-212 vote on Wednesday. The $1.15tn National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed through the Republican-led chamber and is now set to go to the Senate. Most Democrats refused to support the bill, raising concerns over recent US military engagements and voting restrictions backed by allies of President Donald Trump.
Budget, War, and Voting Restrictions
The 2027 NDAA is a critical part of the president’s push to allocate $1.5tn to the military for the upcoming fiscal year. Mike Rogers, who chairs the House armed services committee, described the budget as the first in 40 years to address the true costs of maintaining deterrence.
Last week, Senate Democrats halted movement on their own version of the bill, protesting the recent conflict with Iran. Tensions have risen after a peace initiative collapsed, reigniting hostilities. The president’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran without first seeking congressional approval has fueled Democratic anger, leading to near-unanimous rejection of the measure.
Democrats also turned away from the NDAA after Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, inserted the Save America Act into the legislation. This proposal, backed by Trump, would eliminate mail-in ballots and enforce stricter voter ID requirements. Adam Smith, the senior Democrat on the House armed services committee, criticized the bill for its high cost and the cuts to domestic programs, as well as tax cuts approved last year. He called for greater fiscal responsibility and efficiency in military spending.
The bill underwent numerous amendment votes before being passed. A Republican effort to stop military aid to Ukraine was decisively rejected by a 76-350 vote. A proposal from Lauren Boebert to make permanent the ban on transgender service members also failed, with a 212-217 tally. However, Nancy Mace's amendments passed, banning certain gender-related care for service members and excluding transgender athletes from girls’ sports at schools run by the defense department.
Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled an amendment aimed at boosting US-Israel defense ties as a
threat to American sovereignty and democracy. Other Democrats cited the broader backlash over US support for Israel as a reason for their opposition to the bill.
In addition to the NDAA, House Republicans are working on a party-line plan to authorize $60bn in new defense spending. Much of this money is expected to cover the war with Iran. However, this amount is far below the Pentagon’s original request of $350bn, which would have raised total defense spending to $1.5tn for fiscal year 2027.
With lawmakers preparing for an extended recess that lasts until August’s end, the NDAA’s journey through the Senate remains uncertain. The strong Democratic rejection and the heated debate over amendments suggest that the 2027 defense budget will face significant challenges ahead.