The House of Representatives in the US adopted on Wednesday the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sending the document to the Senate for the final vote.
The text establishes the US defense policy for the next fiscal year and imposes restrictions on reducing American troops in Europe – a bipartisan position that contrasts with President Donald Trump’s new security strategy, as reported by AP, CNN, and Politico.
The project prohibits significant withdrawals without consulting NATO and requires the Pentagon to maintain at least 76,000 troops in Europe. Currently, there are between 80,000 and 100,000 American soldiers on the continent.
Moreover, the law blocks any attempt to relinquish the US position as NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, with such decisions only allowed after an evaluation sent to Congress regarding the „threat posed by the Russian Federation… in the short, medium, and long term.”
In Asia, the NDAA sets a minimum level of 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.
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### Ukraine: weapons, information, and internationally recognized territory, including Crimea
The document authorizes $400 million over the next two years for the manufacture of weapons destined for Ukraine.
Additionally, it provides direct support with information: „The Secretary of Defense shall provide informational support, including information, data, and images collected in accordance with Title 10 of the United States Code, to the Government of Ukraine, in order to support military operations of the Government of Ukraine that are specifically intended or reasonably anticipated to defend and recapture Ukrainian territory.”
The law defines Ukrainian territory as that „internationally recognized as the sovereign territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and the territory claimed by the Russian Federation in the regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk.”
### A budget of $901 billion
The project allocates $901 billion for military programs – $8 billion above Trump’s initial request – and includes a 3.8% pay raise for troops.
The text has bipartisan support, although radical conservatives have complained that it does not sufficiently reduce US commitments abroad.
### Tensions with the Trump administration
The vote comes amid tensions between Congress and the Trump administration regarding military management. The White House called for swift adoption of the law, and Republican Party leaders, including Mike Johnson and Marco Rubio, negotiated with opponents until the last moment.
The text passed with 312 votes in favor and 112 against.
The law meets the administration’s desires to reduce climate and diversity programs but increases congressional oversight of the Pentagon and repeals old war authorizations.
### Major reforms in arms acquisition
The project changes the acquisition system to accelerate the delivery of weapons, a priority of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the Armed Services Committee, described the text as „the most ambitious reform in acquisition matters,” but expressed concern that „the Pentagon, led by Secretary Hegseth and President Trump, simply does not answer to Congress or the law.”
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### Pressure on the Pentagon: cutting travel budget
A provision reduces Hegseth’s travel budget by a quarter if the Pentagon does not provide Congress with necessary images of attacks on vessels near Venezuela. The law also requires that attack orders be accessible to congressional oversight.
### Reduction of climate and diversity programs
Senators from both parties criticize the law for not introducing sufficient restrictions on military flights over Washington, following a collision resulting in 67 deaths.
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The project cuts $1.6 billion from climate expenses and saves $40 million by abolishing diversity and inclusion programs, including the diversity director position.
### Congress officially ends the Iraq war and lifts sanctions against Syria
The NDAA repeals the 2003 war authorization, officially closing the Iraq chapter.
It also permanently lifts US sanctions against Syria, following the temporary lifting of restrictions by the Trump administration.
Democrats criticized the exclusion of a provision to expand IVF coverage for active-duty military personnel.