House Narrowly Passes $1.15-Trillion Defense Policy Bill
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON— The House narrowly approved the $1.15-trillion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2027 on Wednesday by a 216-212 vote, advancing Congress' annual defense policy bill after a sharply partisan debate over military spending, social policy and election-related provisions, the Associated Press reported.
The measure authorizes a historic level of national security spending and now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers must reconcile it with their own version before it can become law.
The legislation includes a military pay raise ranging from 5% to 7% depending on rank and incorporates several Republican priorities, including provisions restricting gender-related medical care under the military's TRICARE health program. It also adopts President Donald Trump's proposal to redesignate the Department of Defense as the Department of War, although the White House has objected to separate provisions limiting presidential authority over military property names, AP said.
Democrats unanimously opposed the measure, arguing the bill boosts Pentagon spending while Republicans seek cuts to domestic programs and criticizing the inclusion of conservative policy riders and provisions tied to election law. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said lawmakers would continue working across party lines as the legislation moves toward conference negotiations with the Senate, while Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) argued overall national security spending is substantially higher than advertised when supplemental funding is included, AP said.
The House vote marks a key victory for Republican leaders as they race to clear major legislation before the August recess. The Senate has yet to complete action on its NDAA after Democrats earlier blocked consideration over objections tied to the Administration's Iran policy, making final negotiations unlikely until lawmakers return later this year.
Jason Stverak, chief advocacy officer of the Defense Credit Union Council, emphasized the NDAA remains focused on strengthening national defense while avoiding provisions that would have unnecessarily harmed credit unions and the military communities they serve.
"For decades, the NDAA has served as one of Congress’s most important bipartisan legislative accomplishments," Stverak said. "It should remain focused on supporting our men and women in uniform, enhancing military readiness, and providing certainty for those who defend our nation. We appreciate House leadership and members for resisting efforts to include unrelated financial services provisions that could have undermined the ability of credit unions to serve service members, veterans, and their families."
While DCUC is encouraged by the House’s action, Stverak said the trade group's work is not finished.
"As the legislative process moves forward, DCUC will continue working with the Senate and House conferees to ensure the final NDAA protects the interests of defense credit unions and the more than 40 million Americans they collectively serve," he said. "We also remain committed to advancing bipartisan policies that strengthen financial readiness and expand responsible access to capital for those who have served our country. This includes continued support for the Veterans Member Business Loan Act, which would remove unnecessary barriers preventing veteran entrepreneurs from accessing capital through the credit unions they know and trust."
Originally reported by CU Today.