The House of Representatives approves the annual defense bill to raise troop salaries and reform weapons purchases

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a sweeping defense policy bill that would authorize $900 billion for military programs, including increasing troop pay and reforming how the Defense Department buys weapons.

The passage of the bill by a majority of 312 votes to 112 comes at a time when friction is increasing between the Republican-controlled Congress and the administration of President Donald Trump regarding the management of the military.

Read more: Trump says the United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

The annual National Defense Authorization Act usually has bipartisan support, and the White House has indicated “strong support” for the legislation to be passed, saying it is consistent with Trump’s national security agenda. However, the more than 3,000-page-long bill includes several measures that the Defense Department opposes, including demanding more information about boat strikes in the Caribbean and support for allies in Europe, such as Ukraine.

Overall, the sweeping bill calls for a 3.8% pay raise for many military personnel as well as improved housing and facilities at military bases. It also strikes a compromise between political parties, cutting climate and diversity efforts in line with Trump’s agenda, while strengthening congressional oversight of the Pentagon and eliminating several old war authorizations. However, hardline conservatives said they were frustrated that the bill did not do more to reduce US obligations abroad.

“We need a ready, capable and lethal fighting force because the threats facing our nation, especially those from China, are more complex and challenging than at any time in the past 40 years,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Lawmakers overseeing the military said the bill would change how the Pentagon purchases weapons, with an emphasis on speed after years of delays by the defense industry. It’s also a key priority for Defense Minister Pete Hegseth. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called the bill “the most ambitious swing we have taken on acquisition reform.”

However, Smith lamented that the bill does not go as far as Democrats would like to rein in the Trump administration, but called it “a step in the right direction toward reasserting Congress’ authority.”

“My biggest concern is that the Pentagon, run by Secretary Hegseth and President Trump, simply is not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law,” he said.

The legislation then heads to the Senate, where leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers leave Washington for recess.

Many senators from both parties criticized the bill because it did not do enough to restrict military flights over Washington. They pushed for repairs after a mid-air collision this year between an Army helicopter and a jet that killed all 67 people aboard both planes near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and families of the victims have also expressed opposition to this section of the bill, raising concerns that it will make the airspace more dangerous.

Here’s what the defense bill does as it makes its way through Congress.

Videos of boat strikes and congressional oversight

Lawmakers included a provision that would cut Hegseth’s travel budget by a quarter until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited video of raids against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. Lawmakers emphasize their oversight role after the September 2 strike, in which the US military shot two survivors who were holding a boat that was partially destroyed.

The bill also requires that Hegseth allow Congress to review strike orders.

Reaffirming its commitments to Europe and Korea

Trump’s continued support for Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe has been in doubt over the past year, but lawmakers included several positions aimed at continuing American support to confront Russian aggression in the region.

The defense bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and key equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a decision that such a withdrawal is in the interest of the United States. There are usually between 80,000 and 100,000 American soldiers on European soil. It also allocates $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to send to Ukraine.

In addition, there is a provision to keep US forces stationed in South Korea, setting the minimum requirement at 28,500 troops.

Discounts on climate and diversity initiatives

The House Armed Services Committee said the bill includes $1.6 billion in cuts in climate change-related spending. US military assessments have long concluded that climate change poses a threat to national security, with military bases routinely hit by hurricanes or flooded.

The bill would also save $40 million by eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programs and training courses, the committee said. For example, the position of chief diversity officer will be eliminated.

Cancellation of the Iraq war decision

Congress is bringing a formal end to the war in Iraq by rescinding authorization for the 2003 invasion. Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is critical to preventing future abuses and reinforcing that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the United States.

The 2002 resolution has rarely been used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

Lifting final sanctions on Syria

Congress will permanently lift US sanctions on Syria after the Trump administration temporarily lifted several sanctions.

Lawmakers imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former President Bashar al-Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. After Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa led a successful rebellion to topple Assad, he is seeking to rebuild his country’s economy.

Advocates of permanent repeal said international companies were unlikely to invest in projects needed to rebuild the country as long as there was a threat of sanctions returning.

Lack of IVF coverage

Democrats criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for eliminating a provision of the bill to expand in vitro fertilization coverage for active duty workers. An earlier edition covered the medical procedure, known as IVF, which helps infertile people have children.