Overview
- Senators passed the annual defense policy bill 77–20, advancing a package that authorizes Pentagon priorities and now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature, with actual spending to be set by appropriators.
- The legislation compels the Pentagon to deliver unedited video and execute orders from strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, withholding 25% of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until compliance; Hegseth says the full footage will not be released publicly.
- The bill sets floors for U.S. force posture — at least 76,000 troops in Europe and 28,500 in South Korea — and restricts relinquishing the NATO Supreme Allied Commander-Europe role without certifications to Congress.
- Security assistance includes $800 million for Ukraine over two years and $175 million for a Baltic Security Initiative, reflecting continued support for European defense.
- The NDAA enacts major procurement reforms to speed acquisition and open doors to commercial entrants, eliminates Pentagon DEI offices and cuts climate programs, and repeals the 1991 and 2002 Iraq AUMFs while lifting remaining U.S. sanctions on Syria.