The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, which outlines U.S. defense policy and budget expenditures, passed the House of Representatives on July 22. The House also approved a separate budget of $95 billion to cover defense costs incurred from the war in Iran.
According to reports from The Washington Post and others, the NDAA, which authorizes $1.15 trillion in defense spending, was approved by a vote of 216 to 212. The vote largely followed party lines, with all but seven Republicans supporting it and all but six Democrats opposing it.
This sharp division over the NDAA is unusual, as it has typically received bipartisan support. Democrats criticized the Trump administration for significantly increasing defense spending while cutting social welfare budgets and failing to adequately check the administration's military actions amid the prolonged Iran conflict.
In contrast, Republicans argue that substantial defense spending is necessary to support military operations in Iran, improve defense systems, procure military equipment, and increase service members' pay.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee, estimating that costs related to the Iran war could reach approximately $37.5 billion by the end of September. He warned that without prompt additional funding, some military training might need to be scaled back.
The NDAA is an annual bill that authorizes the budget and key defense policies for the Department of Defense. However, a separate appropriations bill is required for actual budget execution.
The NDAA passed by the House includes provisions that prevent the use of funds to reduce U.S. troop levels in South Korea below 28,500. Notably, it expands restrictions to ensure that budgets allocated under the NDAA and other laws for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 cannot be used for troop reductions. This measure is seen as a response to President Trump's previously mentioned potential troop reductions in South Korea.
While the Senate is also considering its own version of the NDAA, progress has been delayed due to Democratic opposition, citing insufficient controls over the Iran war. Both chambers will need to reconcile their respective bills before final approval through a vote and presidential signature.
On the same day, the House also passed a $95 billion budget package that includes funding for the Iran war and key policies of the Trump administration, with a vote of 216 to 214. All Democrats opposed the package.
The budget includes $60 billion for the Department of Defense and $13 billion for other national security areas, as well as $12 billion for farmer assistance and $10 billion in state grants to implement voter ID verification systems.
Republicans are utilizing budget reconciliation procedures to advance the package without Democratic support. This serves as a bridge to cover budget shortfalls resulting from the Iran war until the regular defense budget for fiscal year 2027 is finalized.
However, fiscally conservative Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the lack of budget cuts to offset new spending, and some Republican senators oppose increasing defense spending through the reconciliation process, leaving the final passage uncertain.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.