The United States Congress has passed a sweeping US$901 billion (S$1.1 trillion) defence policy Bill for fiscal year 2026, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to sign it into law.
The legislation, known as the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), won strong bipartisan support in the Senate on Dec 17, following approval in the House of Representatives last week.
The Bill sets a record level of annual US military spending, expanding Pentagon programmes and approving a 4 per cent pay raise for service members. Funding will also go towards weapons procurement and initiatives aimed at countering China and Russia, reflecting broad concerns over rising global security threats.
In a notable divergence from Mr Trump’s stated foreign policy direction, the NDAA includes significant provisions to bolster Europe’s defence posture. Despite the president’s December national security strategy—which signalled a friendlier stance toward Moscow and a reassessment of ties with Europe—the legislation commits substantial resources to Ukraine and NATO-aligned states.
Under the Bill, Ukraine will receive US$800 million in military aid over the next two years through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which finances US-made weapons and equipment for Kyiv. The NDAA also strengthens security co-operation with the Baltic states, authorising the Baltic Security Initiative and allocating US$175 million to support defence efforts in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Further, the legislation prevents the Pentagon from reducing the number of US troops stationed in Europe below 76,000 and preserves the dual role held by the head of US European Command, who also serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
The Senate approved the Bill by 77 votes to 20, underscoring Congress’ continued commitment to advancing defence legislation annually—a streak that has lasted more than 60 years.
However, lawmakers declined to include several proposals debated in recent months. Calls from a bipartisan group of senators to strengthen military helicopter safety standards—sparked by a deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk and a commercial airliner—did not make it into the final package.
The NDAA also omits funding to rename the Department of Defence as the Department of War, a change favoured by Mr Trump but one requiring congressional approval.
At the same time, the legislation includes provisions aligned with conservative cultural priorities. One measure restricts transgender women from competing in women’s athletic programmes at US military academies, reflecting ongoing political clashes within the armed forces over gender and social policy.
President Trump is expected to sign the Bill in the coming days. Photo by Bjoertvedt, Wikimedia commons.
