The House voted 221-209 to pass its $832 billion defense appropriations bill last night.
The bill, which would provide flat funding for the Defense Department in fiscal year 2026, is on top of previously passed reconciliation legislation (and other appropriations measures) that would bring the national defense topline to around $1 trillion.
Five Democrats voted for the bill while only three Republicans opposed it.
“This bill reflects President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda, and it puts America’s strength, security, and values first,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
The bill would fund procurement at $174 billion, or $6.5 billion above FY-25’s enactment.
The bill also includes $148 billion for research, development, test and evaluation.
Meanwhile, House Appropriations defense subcommittee Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN) voted against the bill, decrying its “poison pill riders” and the lateness of the Pentagon’s FY-26 budget submission, which she said led to an incomplete legislative deliberation.
“These partisan social riders should never become law,” she said. “They lead us down to a road that, once again, may result in a full-year [continuing resolution].” The Pentagon is currently operating under a full-year CR, though Congress agreed to grant the department certain spending flexibilities for FY-25.
Some of the “poison pill” GOP amendments McCollum is referring to include provisions targeting abortion services, transgender medical care and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), who chairs the defense appropriations subcommittee, said the bill advances key national security goals.
“The bill makes innovation a priority by expanding programs I have championed that rapidly deploy cutting-edge, difference making systems into the hands of our warfighters,” he said.
Originally published Inside Defense
