The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to advance a $901 billion defence policy bill, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to sign the legislation into law.
The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a compromise between earlier versions passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, authorises a record level of annual military spending. The bill includes a 4 per cent pay rise for service members, funding for the purchase of military equipment, and measures aimed at strengthening U.S. competitiveness with rivals such as China and Russia.
The Senate approved the bill by a 77–20 margin, with strong bipartisan support, following its passage by the House last week. The White House has indicated that President Trump will sign the legislation.
Despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress, the NDAA contains provisions that diverge from the president’s recent policy direction, particularly on Europe. The legislation boosts security commitments on the continent, even as Mr Trump earlier this month released a National Security Strategy viewed as more accommodating towards Russia and signalling a reassessment of U.S. relations with Europe.
Under the bill, $800 million is allocated to Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, with $400 million earmarked for each of the next two years to fund weapons purchases from U.S. defence companies. The NDAA also authorises the Baltic Security Initiative and provides $175 million to support the defence of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
In addition, the legislation restricts the Department of Defense from reducing U.S. troop levels in Europe below 76,000 and prevents the U.S. European Commander from relinquishing the role of NATO Supreme Commander.
Lawmakers noted the significance of maintaining a legislative tradition that has seen the NDAA passed every year for more than six decades. Although some senators from both parties recently pushed for the inclusion of stricter military helicopter safety rules following a fatal crash involving an Army Black Hawk and a passenger jet that killed 67 people, the issue did not derail the bill.
The NDAA does not provide funding to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a change sought by President Trump but requiring explicit congressional approval.
