House Set to Vote on $900B Defense Bill That Exceeds Pentagon Request by $8B, Lawmakers Say

The House is poised to vote Wednesday on the 2026 version of the National Defense Authorization Act, a roughly $900 billion defense policy bill derided by critics yet touted by supporters as crucial for national security.

That vote comes as lawmakers finalize a sweeping 3,086-page compromise that would authorize about $900.6 billion for the coming fiscal year, roughly $8 billion more than what the Pentagon requested when drafting its budget.

If approved, the bill would deliver a 3.8% pay raise for active service members, fund expanded construction of barracks, medical facilities, childcare centers, housing and schools for military families, and allocate billions toward procurement of next-generation weapons — including advanced fighters and missile defense systems.

But the sprawling legislation also includes major policy shifts, codifying several of the current administration’s priorities, steering billions toward new procurement and industrial-base investments.

Still, uncertainty remains. Some members have expressed concern over the size and scope of the package, and debates over controversial provisions — including changes to Pentagon policy beyond basic funding — continue heating up.

“The NDAA meets our commitment to defend America and support our troops,” said a House sponsor.

As Congress races to finalize defense authorizations before the holiday break, the outcome of Wednesday’s vote could shape U.S. military posture and funding levels for years to come. What happens next: if passed by the House, the bill heads to the Senate, where lawmakers must sign off before it can reach the president’s desk.

That vote could reshape both U.S. defense spending and long-term strategic priorities.

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