President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law Thursday, ensuring the Pentagon gets a whopping $901 billion for fiscal year 2026.
The Senate passed the bill Wednesday in a 77-20 vote. The House approved it earlier this month with a 312-112 vote. It increased the spending allowed by the Defense Department by $8 billion while focusing on attracting new companies to the defense industry.
The bill includes a 3.8% pay increase for service members, requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and equipment in Europe unless NATO allies and U.S. agree to the removal, sends $400 million in aid for Ukraine for the next two years, and keeps U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
It cuts $1.6 billion from climate change-related spending. It also repeals diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, saving $40 million.
“Today marks a major milestone in advancing President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda,” said House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers in a statement. “At a pivotal moment in our national security, this NDAA builds a ready, lethal, and capable fighting force–one that deters America’s adversaries, supports our warfighters, and further strengthens our defense posture on the global stage.”
Mr. Rogers, Alabama Republican, said the bill brings the U.S. military into the 21st century and “provides a clear path to outpace evolving threats.”
“This bill contains the most consequential acquisition reforms in generations — empowering the Pentagon to move faster, integrate advanced technologies, and accelerate innovation for our warfighters,” he said.
The bill includes a provision that cuts Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget by a quarter until Congress is provided with the unedited footage of the military strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
It also permanently removes U.S. sanctions that were placed on Syria.
Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Democrat, celebrated the repeal of the sanctions together in a video posted on social media.
“Now there’s a pathway for responsible investment in Syria that supports reconstruction, services and jobs without handing a blank check to bad actors,” Ms. Shaheen said.
The NDAA also repealed two authorizations for the use of military force, from 1991 and 2002, which were Congress’ approval to engage in the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War.
• John T. Seward contributed to this article, which is based in part on wire-service reports.
