Key facts
- The US House passed the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 216-212.
- The bill authorizes $1.15 trillion in military spending.
- It includes a provision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
- Democrats opposed the bill due to its cost, the Iran war, and policy riders.
- The legislation includes provisions from the Trump-backed 'SAVE America Act' concerning voting restrictions.
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, authorizing $1.15 trillion in military spending and renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. The bill passed by a vote of 216 to 212, largely along party lines, with most Republicans voting in favor and most Democrats voting against.
Democrats voiced objections to the substantial cost of the bill, the ongoing war with Iran, and provisions expanding military cooperation with Israel. They also opposed conservative social policy riders, including a prohibition on gender-related medical care under the military health program TRICARE, and supported easing hurdles for service members to carry privately owned firearms on base. Republican leaders attached President Donald Trump’s elections overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act, to the defense bill, amplifying partisan divisions.
Rep. Mike Rogers emphasized the need to reverse decades of underinvestment in the armed forces to deter China and other adversaries. Rep. Adam Smith expressed concern about the overall defense budget, which he stated approaches $1.6 trillion when including war costs, and voiced apprehension about the war with Iran. The White House applauded the spending levels and the Department of War designation but has concerns with certain provisions, such as those limiting the president’s ability to name military installations. The Congressional Budget Office projected the renaming could cost taxpayers as much as $125 million.