House Passes $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill With Iran War Funding, Department of War Rename

The House passed a $1.15 trillion defense spending bill on Wednesday by a vote of 216 to 212, marking the narrowest margin for the normally bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. The bill includes $73 billion in additional funding for the Iran war, a renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, and military pay raises of 5% to 7%. It now heads to the Senate, where Democrats have already blocked debate and demanded concessions.

What the bill contains

The 2027 NDAA allocates $1.15 trillion for national security, a historic increase from last year’s $900 billion budget. It includes military pay raises ranging from 5% to 7% depending on rank. The bill also renames the Department of Defense to the Department of War, fulfilling President Trump’s request. Additionally, it expands military technological cooperation with Israel and includes a prohibition on gender-related medical care under the military health program TRICARE.

Why Democrats opposed it

Democrats objected to the steep Pentagon spending increases at a time when the White House is cutting social programs. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, stated he could not support the bill because it meets defense needs by making massive cuts to domestic programs and slashing taxes. The bill also includes conservative social policy riders, such as easing restrictions on privately owned firearms on base, and Trump’s SAVE America Act, which imposes voter ID and registration requirements.

Iran war costs mounting

The U.S. war with Iran, launched in late February, has already cost taxpayers $37.5 billion according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The bill adds $73 billion more for the conflict. At least 18 service members have been killed and nearly 500 injured. Senate Democrats have demanded concessions to curb Trump’s war effort, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the NDAA cannot become a permission slip for recklessness in Iran.

What happens next in the Senate

The bill faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where Republicans will need Democratic support to clear the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation. Senate Democrats blocked a version of the bill from coming up for a vote last week. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, promised to work in a bipartisan manner on a final product that can pass both chambers and be signed into law.

Final Thoughts

The House passed a historic $1.15 trillion defense bill with narrow party-line support, but Senate Democrats have signaled strong opposition to the spending level and Iran war funding. The bill’s path to passage remains uncertain.

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