A sweeping $901 billion defence policy bill has been approved by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to sign it into law.
The legislation, known as the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, was passed by a large bipartisan majority and includes a 4% pay rise for U.S. service members, funding to counter China and Russia, and continued support for Ukraine and NATO allies in Europe.
The Senate voted 77–20 in favour, a day after the bill was approved by the House of Representatives. The White House has said President Trump intends to sign the measure.
The NDAA authorises record annual military spending and is passed by Congress every year to set defence priorities and policies, though it does not allocate funding directly.
The legislation also strengthens U.S. commitments in Europe, despite recent uncertainty over Washington’s long-term posture on the continent.
It limits the Pentagon’s ability to reduce U.S. troop numbers in Europe below 76,000 and ensures the top U.S. military commander in Europe retains the role of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander.
In addition, the bill provides $175 million to support the defence of the Baltic states - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - through the Baltic Security Initiative.
Lawmakers from both parties highlighted the NDAA’s long tradition of bipartisan cooperation. Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it marked the 65th consecutive year Congress had passed the legislation.
“This bill is designed to sustain and strengthen the national defence,” he said.
The measure authorises $8 billion more than President Trump had requested and includes reforms to the military’s equipment procurement system, as well as initiatives aimed at boosting U.S. competitiveness with China and Russia.
The bill also contains several politically sensitive provisions. It repeals long-standing authorisations for the use of military force against Iraq, in a move intended to reassert Congress’s authority over decisions to deploy U.S. troops.
It includes restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion programmes at the Pentagon and bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports at U.S. military academies.
The NDAA also includes a provision that could restrict Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget if he does not provide Congress with unedited footage of recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels.
Once signed by President Trump, the bill will formally set U.S. defence policy for the coming year.
A rare Israeli security statement warning of an alleged Iranian-linked plot targeting global sites, including a key Azerbaijani pipeline, has drawn...
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has ruled out a new round of negotiations with the U.S. in Islamabad on Tuesday “und...
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind ...
Jars of baby food deliberately tampered with rat poison and discovered in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of an attempted extort...
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegall...
A rare Israeli security statement warning of an alleged Iranian-linked plot targeting global sites, including a key Azerbaijani pipeline, has drawn renewed attention to regional security dynamics.
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind and solar producers to adopt long-term fixed contracts.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
China's domestic automakers have a message for the boardrooms of premium German brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW: We are coming for your customers, and we are armed with superior technology at a fraction of the cost.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan’s north-eastern coast, triggering urgent tsunami warnings with waves of up to 3 metres expected, prompting residents to seek immediate safety.
Blue Origin, the U.S. space company of billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, successfully reused and recovered a booster for its New Glenn rocket launched from Florida on Sunday (19 April), in the latest chapter of its intensifying rivalry with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind and solar producers to adopt long-term fixed contracts.
The escalating conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel is fuelling what could become the most severe energy crisis the world has ever faced, according to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
A Canadian woman has been shot dead and 13 others injured in a shooting at the Teotihuacan pyramids on Monday, one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of April, covering the latest developments you need to know
Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment