WASHINGTON — In a stark display of deepening legislative polarization, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a sweeping annual defense policy bill on Wednesday, authorizing a record $1.15 trillion in funding for the Pentagon as the prolonged military campaign against Iran continues.
The 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) cleared the lower chamber in a tight 216–212 vote. While the legislation has historically commanded robust bipartisan backing, this year’s measure fractured largely along party lines, reflecting intense political friction under President Donald Trump.
The newly passed text allocates roughly $250 billion above the previous year’s figures, incorporating a 5% to 7% pay increase for active-duty service members alongside critical investments in military infrastructure. Proponents emphasized that the massive outlay is vital for operational readiness.
“This legislation provides our brave service members with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defense — including construction of the Golden Dome,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters following the vote.
The proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense shield—heavily championed by President Trump to safeguard the U.S. mainland and modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome—serves as a cornerstone of the package. House Armed Services Committee Republicans argued that the financial injection is urgently required to replenish depleted weapon stockpiles resulting from heavy munitions expenditure in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
However, the legislation encountered vehement pushback from Democrats, who criticized both the unprecedented price tag and the strategic direction of ongoing military engagements.
“The NDAA is a costly, bad bill that funds an illegal war and undermines our democracy,” said Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler. “I could not vote to give Trump and his Defense chief Pete Hegseth $1.15 trillion for their out-of-control military spending and irresponsible actions.”
Controversy deepened further after a procedural maneuver attached President Trump’s high-priority “SAVE America Act” to the defense package. The measure seeks to implement strict nationwide voting and identification restrictions. Democratic critics argued that coupling election mandates with national security funding is a transparent attempt to force partisan priorities through Congress ahead of the autumn midterms, a move guaranteed to complicate the bill’s trajectory in the Senate.
Additionally, provisions within the bill expanding strategic defense cooperation between U.S. and Israeli armed forces have ignited intense debate on Capitol Hill.
Having cleared the House, the high-stakes legislation now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers face an uphill battle to forge a compromise amid deeply entrenched partisan divides.
House passes defense bill advancing Iran conflict funding plan
This video provides an overview of the House passing the defense policy bill that advances funding for operations involving Iran.
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