US House passes record $1.15trn defence bill to fund Iran war

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The US House of Representatives narrowly passed an annual defense policy bill on Wednesday that would authorize a record $1.15 trillion in funding for the Pentagon, as the divisive Iran war drags on.

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Though it traditionally sees significant bipartisan support, the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the lower chamber in a 216-212 vote, a sign of the growing polarization under President Donald Trump.

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The bill, which must still pass the Senate, provides approximately $250 billion more than the 2026 NDAA, including a 5-7 percent pay raise for service members.

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“This legislation provides our brave servicemembers with an overdue pay raise, strengthens our nuclear deterrence and missile defense — including construction of the Golden Dome,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

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Trump has sought to develop the so-called Golden Dome missile defense system to protect the US mainland, modeled after Israel’s “Iron Dome.”

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The House Armed Services Committee Republicans, in a statement, said the bill would help rebuild “depleted stockpiles,” as the United States expends large amounts of projectiles in its war against Iran.

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Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler, for his part, said he could not vote to give Trump and his Defense chief Pete Hegseth “$1.15 TRILLION for their out-of-control military spending and irresponsible actions.”

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“The NDAA is a costly, bad bill that funds an illegal war and undermines our democracy,” he said.

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Trump’s prized “SAVE America Act,” which would enact new nationwide voting restrictions, was added to the NDAA through a procedural maneuver, raising the ire of Democrats and further complicating the bill’s passage in the Senate.

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Controversy has also raged in recent weeks over another section of the NDAA that calls for increased cooperation between the United States and Israeli armed forces.

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AFP

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