The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to advance a $901 billion defense bill outlining Pentagon policy, sending the legislation to the White House, where President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 is a compromise between measures previously approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It authorizes a record $901 billion in annual military spending, including a 4% pay raise for troops, procurement of military equipment, and initiatives to increase U.S. competitiveness against major rivals China and Russia.
The Senate approved the bill with 77 votes in favor and 20 against, receiving strong bipartisan support. The House of Representatives passed the bill last week.
Despite Trump’s earlier national security strategy, which is viewed as Russia-friendly and re-evaluates U.S.–Europe relations, the NDAA includes several provisions to strengthen security in Europe.
Key Provisions of NDAA 2026:
- $800 million for Ukraine: $400 million each year over the next two years, through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds U.S. companies providing weapons to the Ukrainian military.
- Baltic Security Initiative: $175 million to support the defense of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
- Limits the U.S. military presence in Europe to no less than 76,000 troops and prevents the U.S. European Command leader from relinquishing the title of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
- Does not include funding to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a proposal favored by Trump but requiring congressional approval.
