Washington– The House of Representatives is headed toward a final vote Wednesday on a sweeping defense bill that would authorize $900 billion in military programs, including pay increases for troops and an overhaul of how the Defense Department purchases weapons.
The vote comes at a time Increased friction Among the Republican-controlled Congress President Donald Trump Management is responsible for managing the military institution.
The annual National Defense Authorization Act usually has bipartisan support, and the White House has indicated “strong support” for the legislation to be passed, saying it is consistent with Trump’s national security agenda. However, the more than 3,000-page bill includes several measures that the Defense Department opposes, including requiring… More information about boat strikes In the Caribbean and supporting allies in Europe, such as Ukraine.
Overall, the sweeping bill calls for a 3.8% pay raise for many military personnel as well as improved housing and facilities at military bases. It also strikes a compromise between political parties, cutting climate and diversity efforts in line with Trump’s agenda, while strengthening congressional oversight of the Pentagon and eliminating several old war authorizations. However, hardline conservatives said they were frustrated that the bill did not do more to reduce US obligations abroad.
“We need a ready, capable and lethal fighting force because the threats facing our nation, especially those from China, are more complex and challenging than at any time in the past 40 years,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Lawmakers who oversee the military said the bill would change how the army is formed The Pentagon buys weaponsWith an emphasis on speed after years of delays by the defense industry. It’s also a key priority for Defense Minister Pete Hegseth. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called the bill “the most ambitious swing we have taken on acquisition reform.”
Smith expressed his regret that the bill does not do as much as Democrats would like to rein in the Trump administration, but called it “a step in the right direction toward reasserting Congress’ authority.”
“My biggest concern is that the Pentagon, run by Secretary Hegseth and President Trump, simply is not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law,” he said.
The legislation then heads to the Senate, where leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers leave Washington for recess.
Many senators from both parties criticized the bill because it did not do enough to restrict military flights over Washington. They pushed for reforms after a Mid-air collision This year, an accident between an Army helicopter and a jet killed all 67 people aboard the planes near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board also expressed opposition to this section of the bill.
Here’s what the defense bill does as it makes its way through Congress.
Lawmakers included a provision that would cut Hegseth’s travel budget by a quarter until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited video of raids against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. Legislators confirm their oversight role after a September 2 strike The US military shot two survivors who were clinging to a partially destroyed boat.
The bill also requires that Hegseth allow Congress to review strike orders.
Trump’s continued support for Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe has been in doubt over the past year, but lawmakers included several positions aimed at continuing American support to confront Russian aggression in the region.
The defense bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and key equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a decision that such a withdrawal is in the interest of the United States. About 80,000 to 100,000 American soldiers It is usually present On European territory. It also allocates $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to send to Ukraine.
In addition, there is a provision to keep American forces stationed there South KoreaThe minimum required amount is set at 28,500.
The House Armed Services Committee said the bill includes $1.6 billion in cuts in climate change-related spending. US military assessments have long found climate change to be a problem A threat to national securitywhere bases are routinely struck or flooded by hurricanes.
The bill would also save $40 million through repeal Diversity, equity and inclusion The committee said that offices, programs and training courses. For example, the position of chief diversity officer will be eliminated.
Congress puts an official end to The war in Iraq by Cancellation of license for the 2003 invasion. Supporters in both the House and Senate say repeal is critical to preventing future abuses and reinforcing that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.
The 2002 resolution has rarely been used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
Congress will permanently lift US sanctions imposed on Syria after the war The Trump administration has temporarily lifted many sanctions.
Lawmakers imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former President Bashar al-Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. After Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa led a successful rebellion to overthrow Assad, he is seeking to do so Rebuilding his country’s economy.
Advocates of permanent repeal said international companies were unlikely to invest in projects needed to rebuild the country as long as there was a threat of sanctions returning.
Democrats criticized Johnson for eliminating a provision of the bill to expand in vitro fertilization coverage for active duty workers. that Previous version Covered The medical procedure known as IVFWhich helps people suffering from infertility to have children.