WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed the annual defense policy bill Wednesday with little Democratic support after Republicans tacked on amendments to the bill.
All five of Alabama’s Republicans supported the package while the state’s two Democrats voted against final passage. The vote was 231-196.
House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers championed the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes about $893 billion for the Pentagon in fiscal year 2026.
“This is a strong bipartisan bill that delivers for our warfighters and deters our adversaries,” Rogers, R-Saks, said on the House floor. “It will fundamentally reform the defense acquisition enterprise. It will continue historic improvements in the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families.”
Most of the bipartisanship around the NDAA eroded during Wednesday’s vote after GOP lawmakers approved “right-wing” amendments to the legislation, such as adding further restrictions on trans service members. Seventeen Democrats joined most Republicans in supporting the NDAA during the final vote. Previously, the legislation received significant support from both sides of the aisle when it passed the House Armed Services Committee in July.
“For the third year running, Republican leadership cast aside that time-honored tradition and strong bipartisan work, placing politics above the needs of our troops and our national security,” House Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-WA, said in a statement. “They included countless partisan amendments that sought to score points in a right-wing culture war rather than focus on the real needs of our service members and their families.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, said he was “proud” to support the defense policy bill.
“Defense is important to the country, obviously, and we’ve got a lot of things we need to do, and so I think Chairman Rogers has done a good job of trying to bring everybody to the table,” Moore told Alabama Daily News.
Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, said she was disappointed that the bipartisan work in the bill was stripped away with “divisive, partisan provisions.”
“I cannot vote for a bill that would rubber stamp this President’s dangerous efforts to politicize our Armed Forces, especially as America faces growing threats around the world,” Sewell said in a statement.
Congressman Robert Aderholt applauded the passage of the NDAA and praised the inclusion of the DUAL Act, which allows the Department of Defense Education Activity to offer dual enrollment programs for high school students living on military bases.
“Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our country, and their children deserve the same educational opportunities that are available to other students nationwide,” Aderholt said in a statement.
Democrats, with a group of 49 Republicans who bucked their party, adopted an amendment to the NDAA, which repeals the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs or authorization for use of military force, which allows the president to use the armed forces without declaring war. Alabama Democrat Reps. Sewell and Shomari Figures voted for it. All five of Alabama’s House Republicans voted against it.
Streamlining the defense acquisition process to quicken the time it takes for military technology and capabilities to get to service members was the central focus of the NDAA this year. The bill also contains pay raises for service members and money for military housing and dining facility construction.
Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, highlighted a provision in the NDAA that will help staff the access gates at military installations, such as Redstone Arsenal.
The provision will allow installations to contract with outside personnel at staff gates when enlisted personnel are not available.
The Senate is also considering the NDAA on the floor this week. The upper chamber has yet to vote on any amendments or the final bill. Both chambers will have to vote on the legislation before it heads to the president’s desk.
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