As the contentious Iran conflict rages on, the U.S. House of Representatives barely approved an annual defense policy bill on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, authorizing a record $1.15 trillion in funds for the Pentagon.
The 2027 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the lower chamber in a 216-212 vote, despite the fact that it typically has strong bipartisan support. This indicates the increasing divisiveness under President Donald Trump.
The bill offers roughly $250 billion more than the 2026 NDAA, including a 5-7% pay increase for service members, but it still needs to clear the Senate.
“This legislation provides our brave service members with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defence — including construction of the Golden Dome,” House Speaker Mike Johnson stated.
To defend the US mainland, Mr. Trump has worked to create the Golden Dome missile defense system, which is based on Israel’s “Iron Dome.”
Republicans in the House Armed Services Committee stated in a statement that the bill will aid in rebuilding “depleted stockpiles,” since the US uses a lot of projectiles in its conflict with Iran.
For his part, Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler stated that he was unable to support giving Mr. Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth €1.15 TRILLION for their out-of-control military spending and irresponsible behavior.”
“The NDAA is a costly, bad bill that funds an illegal war and undermines our democracy,” he stated.
Through a procedural ploy, Mr. Trump’s much sought-after “SAVE America Act,” which would impose new countrywide voting restrictions, was added to the NDAA, infuriating Democrats and making the bill’s approval in the Senate even more difficult.
Another part of the NDAA that demands greater collaboration between the Israeli military and the United States has also been the subject of intense controversy in recent weeks.
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