This report was compiled by Al Jazeera Staff, Reuters and The Associated Press.

The National Defense Authorization Act is an annual bill that sets spending priorities for the US military, typically passing with broad bipartisan support.

Published On 23 Jul 202623 Jul 2026

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly approved a $1.15 trillion military spending bill, despite Democratic objections over its cost and a provision deepening military technology collaboration with Israel.

The vote was 216 to 212, mostly along party lines, with six Democrats supporting the measure and seven Republicans opposing it.

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“Final vote total for the NDAA today which tragically merges our military technology and supply chains with Israel’s,” Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has clashed with the White House and been a vocal critic of the war on Iran, said in a social media post responding to the vote.

“Let’s hope this version fails in the Senate because Section 219 is a betrayal of our sovereignty.”

The 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, is a reflection of President Donald Trump’s request for an enormous increase in the country’s already unmatched military budget, seeking to boost spending from $900bn last year to $1.5 trillion.

Trump has said the increase is necessary as the US fights a widely unpopular war on Iran, launched by the US and Israel in late February.

The 2027 NDAA has drawn particular criticism for a clause that would strengthen military technology ties with Israel, even as public opinion increasingly favors ending military aid to the country.

The bill now faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democrats are likely to object to the high cost at a time when the White House is moving to slash access to social programmes. Senate Democrats blocked debate on the NDAA in a vote last week, with Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it a “permission slip” for the government’s war on Iran.

The NDAA is typically seen as a “must-pass” piece of legislation, but this year includes other contentious measures, such as aid for Ukraine. The package also includes the SAVE America Act, a key priority of the president that would impose new restrictions on voting to counter what Trump has falsely portrayed as widespread fraud.

The bill's future in the Senate is uncertain, as Democrats have already blocked debate over concerns about its cost and the administration's social spending cuts. The measure also reflects the Trump administration's focus on the Iran war, which began in late February and has faced widespread opposition. The Israel cooperation clause, Section 219, has drawn particular ire from libertarian Republicans like Thomas Massie, who called it a betrayal of sovereignty. If passed, the NDAA would increase the defense budget by about 28% from the previous year, marking a significant escalation in military spending.