U.S. Senate Passes Sweeping $901 Billion Defense Bill, Balancing Trump Priorities with Congressional Oversight

Who Initiated the Defense Bill?

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—the $900 billion defense bill recently passed by the US Senate

Congress—especially the Senate Armed Services Committee

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—the $900 billion defense bill recently passed by the Senate—is an annual defense policy bill that Congress writes every year. It isn’t initiated by the White House; instead, it’s drafted and led by congressional leaders, primarily through:

• Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the Senate version of the bill (S. 2296) and shepherded it through the chamber. Congress.gov
• who helps craft its bipartisan provisions. reed.senate.gov
• Many other senators also shaped the text by adding specific provisions important to their states or priorities, such as Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine). shaheen.senate.gov+1

Bipartisan Effort

Although Republicans hold the majority and much of the bill reflects priorities aligned with President Trump’s national security goals, Democrats also influenced oversight provisions and alliance commitments—underscoring that the NDAA is traditionally one of Congress’s most bipartisan pieces of legislation. AP News

Why Was This Bill Needed?

The NDAA is not just a spending bill—it is a policy blueprint for how the U.S. military operates. Here’s why this year’s version was considered especially important:

1. Annual Authorization Requirement

Every year Congress must authorize defense spending and policies—including troop pay, force structure, weapons acquisition, and strategic priorities. Without the NDAA, the Pentagon would lack legal authority for core activities. AP News

2. Strengthening National Security

Lawmakers said the bill was needed to ensure the U.S. military remains prepared and modernized in the face of global challenges—from competition with China and deterrence in Europe to supporting allies like Ukraine. Reuters

3. Supporting Troops and Families

The legislation provides a military pay raise (about 3.8%–4%), improves benefits, and funds readiness and family support programs — key elements to maintaining morale and recruitment. AP News

4. Congressional Oversight of Military Operations

In light of recent controversial operations—such as a strike on suspected drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela—Congress added provisions requiring greater transparency and reporting from the Pentagon. This reflects lawmakers’ desire to assert oversight over executive military action. The Washington Post

5. Codifying Strategic Policy and Limits

The bill includes rules on troop deployments (e.g., keeping minimum troop levels in Europe and South Korea unless certain consultations occur) and continued support for Ukraine and NATO allies, showing Congress’s strategic priorities. AP News

6. Policy Adjustments and Social Provisions

Some sections of the NDAA align with the current administration’s broader policy goals—such as ending certain diversity programs in the military — while other parts repeal outdated war authorizations passed decades ago, which Congress and the Pentagon no longer see as relevant.

In a major show of bipartisan cooperation—and at times, friction—the U.S. Senate on Dec. 17, 2025, overwhelmingly approved a $901 billion defense policy bill that shapes the nation’s military posture for the coming year and significantly influences President Donald Trump’s national security agenda. Passed by a 77–20 vote, the legislation now heads to the White House, where Mr. Trump has indicated he will sign it into law. Spokesman-Review+1

What the Bill Does

The legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA), authorizes how the Pentagon spends money and sets key military policy. It continues a decades-long tradition of annual defense legislation while introducing significant new provisions and priorities: Wikipedia

• Robust Funding and Reforms: The bill provides roughly $901 billion for defense—about $8 billion more than the Trump administration requested—and includes investments in new submarines, aircraft, drones, and modernization of weapons acquisition processes. Spokesman-Review
• Military Pay Raise: Active-duty troops are set to receive a 3.8% pay increase, acknowledging concerns about recruitment and retention within the armed forces. AP News
• Congressional Oversight: Lawmakers inserted provisions requiring greater transparency from the Pentagon, including pressure on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide unedited details and video of controversial military operations—notably strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela. The bill threatens to withhold 25% of his travel budget if the administration fails to comply. The Washington Post
• Troop Deployment Rules: In response to recent Pentagon plans to reduce troop levels abroad, the NDAA prohibits lowering permanent U.S. troop presence in Europe below 76,000 without consultations with NATO allies and certifications to Congress. Similar requirements apply to troop levels in South Korea. Spokesman-Review
• Ukraine and Allies: The bill authorizes continued military assistance to Ukraine—approximately $800 million over two years—as well as funding for Baltic states’ defense and cooperation with other allies. Reuters

Points of Tension

While the NDAA largely reflects bipartisan agreement on strategic defense spending, several provisions highlight ongoing disagreements among lawmakers and between Congress and the Trump administration:

• Military Campaign Transparency: Democrats and some Republicans pressed for more accountability and congressional input on operations beyond traditional battlefields. The requirement to share classified strike details reflects concern about U.S. military actions that critics say may stretch legal boundaries. The Washington Post
• Policy Direction Toward Europe: The bill pushes back on moves to reduce U.S. military commitments in Europe amid deteriorating security near Russia’s border, underscoring Congress’s desire to anchor American leadership in NATO. Financial Times
• Social and Institutional Changes: The NDAA codifies certain Trump-era policies, including the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the armed forces and bans transgender women from women’s sports at military academies—reflecting broader cultural priorities within the Republican coalition. Reuters
• Excluded Proposals: Not all initiatives survived negotiation. For example, efforts to fund fertility treatment coverage and to rename the Department of Defense were dropped or left unresolved. Spokesman-Review

Politics and Power Dynamics

Compared with earlier NDAA cycles, the 2026 authorization reflects a more assertive Congress seeking to shape defense policy amid competing visions for America’s role abroad. Republican leaders, while supporting the core of Trump’s national security strategy, made clear that legislative authority—particularly around troop deployments and foreign aid—would not be ceded entirely to the White House. Reuters

Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) described the defense overhaul as a once-in-decades effort to modernize Pentagon practices, while Democratic counterparts emphasized oversight and transparency as key legislative victories. Spokesman-Review

What’s Next

With Senate approval secured, the bill now awaits President Trump’s signature, which is widely expected in the coming days. Once enacted, it will guide U.S. defense priorities throughout 2026, forging a delicate balance between sustaining military strength, asserting congressional authority, and adapting to evolving global challenges.