WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly approved a record $1.15 trillion defence policy bill, authorising the largest Pentagon budget in the country’s history as the war with Iran continues.
The Republican-controlled House passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 216-212, exposing sharp political divisions under President Donald Trump.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers must approve it before it can become law.
The legislation authorises about $250 billion more than the 2026 defence budget. It also provides a 5% to 7% pay raise for US service members.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill would strengthen national security and improve support for the military.
“This legislation provides our brave servicemembers with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defence, including construction of the Golden Dome,” Johnson said.
The proposed Golden Dome missile defence system is one of Trump’s key defence initiatives. The project draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome and aims to protect the US mainland from missile attacks.
Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee said the funding would also replenish US weapons stockpiles. They said the military has consumed large quantities of munitions during the ongoing war with Iran.
Democrats strongly opposed the measure. They criticised both its record cost and the Trump administration’s defence policies.
Representative Jerry Nadler said he could not support giving Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth “$1.15 trillion for their out-of-control military spending and irresponsible actions.”
“The NDAA is a costly, bad bill that funds an illegal war and undermines our democracy,” Nadler said.
The legislation became more controversial after Republicans attached Trump’s proposed SAVE America Act to the defence bill through a procedural move. The measure would impose new nationwide voting restrictions. Democrats warned the addition could make Senate approval more difficult.
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The bill also includes a provision to expand military cooperation between the United States and Israel. The proposal has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers in recent weeks.
