The US Congress's fragile bipartisan consensus on defence policy has been dealt a severe blow after the House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by just 216 votes to 212. The contentious $1.15 trillion bill, which forms part of President Trump's ambitious military spending plans, is now set for a potentially fraught journey through the Senate, where strong Democratic opposition and previous roadblocks threaten its passage.
The House vote was marked by deep divisions over several key issues, including President Trump's decision to engage Israel in attacks on Iran without prior congressional authorisation. Democratic lawmakers overwhelmingly opposed the bill, with all but six of their number voting against it. Their concerns extended beyond the war in Iran, however, to include contentious amendments inserted into the legislation.
The proposed 'Save America Act', a Trump-backed measure aimed at banning mail-in ballots and imposing stricter voter identification requirements, proved a major sticking point for Democrats. They also voiced strong objections to the overall cost of the bill and proposed cuts to domestic programmes, arguing for greater fiscal responsibility and efficiency within the Department of Defence.
The ongoing conflict with Iran has been a major factor in the bill's divisive nature. Senate Democrats had already blocked their chamber's version of the NDAA last week in protest of the war, which escalated following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding aimed at peace talks. This sentiment was echoed in the House, where some Democrats also opposed provisions within the bill that would deepen defence industry cooperation between the US and Israel.
Despite the contentious atmosphere, the House did consider dozens of amendments. While some were agreed upon unanimously, others highlighted the deep partisan divides. A proposal to halt all military aid to Ukraine was overwhelmingly defeated, and an amendment seeking to codify a ban on transgender service members also failed. However, the House did approve amendments that would bar military health insurers from offering certain gender-related care and prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports at Department of Defence-run schools.
The bill now advances to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain given the strong Democratic opposition and previous roadblocks. The traditional bipartisan passage of the NDAA, often seen as essential for long-term military investments, is under significant strain this year. Beyond the NDAA, House Republicans are also pursuing a separate, party-line effort to authorise an additional $60 billion in military spending, much of which is expected to cover costs related to the war with Iran.