Overview
- Senators approved the NDAA 77–20 after the House’s earlier vote, and the White House says President Trump plans to sign it Thursday evening.
- The roughly $901 billion measure sets Pentagon policy for fiscal 2026, including a troop pay raise, while actual spending levels still require appropriations.
- Lawmakers assert authority by repealing the 1991 and 2002 Iraq war authorizations and by withholding 25% of Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel funds until unedited Venezuela strike videos and execute orders are provided to Congress.
- The bill boosts European security with $800 million for Ukraine over two years and $175 million for the Baltics, sets a 76,000‑troop floor in Europe and protects the NATO command role, and applies similar limits to force cuts in South Korea.
- It advances sweeping acquisition reform to speed buying and attract commercial entrants, and it omits proposed aircraft‑safety and IVF expansions while eliminating Pentagon DEI offices and restricting transgender women in academy women’s sports.