US Senate Passes $901bn NDAA — Oversight, Europe, Asia
Decision in Context
When the US Senate passes a $901 billion defense bill, it’s doing more than backing a big budget. It is also setting rules that shape how the US military uses force. On Wednesday, the Senate passed the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by 77–20 after the House passed its version on 10 December 2025. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump. The NDAA covers about $901 billion in defense plans and includes a troop pay raise reported as being about 4%, although one account cites 3.8%.
NDAA: Practical Changes
After the US Senate passes the $901 billion defense bill, the NDAA is still not a final spending law. However, it sets which projects can run, and it forces briefings and reports for Congress. Those report rules can slow fast troop moves and can curb “quiet” campaigns. For the primary text, see the Congress.gov FY2026 NDAA bill text.
Troop Floors: Europe & South Korea
Congress put clear floors under two allied theaters. First, DoD must keep at least 76,000 US troops and major kit in Europe unless it consults NATO allies and shows the move serves US interests. The US usually keeps 80,000–100,000 troops in Europe, so the legislation stops a rapid pullback. Second, the bill blocks cuts in South Korea under 28,500 troops, and therefore any big shift will need a case that allies can test and plan around.
Ukraine Aid: Factory Output
The NDAA keeps Ukraine aid on a steady track. It backs $800m for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), split as $400m per year for the next two years. USAI matters because it pays firms to build kits for Ukraine, rather than drawing down US stocks under emergency rules. Moreover, Congress added $400m per year to make weapons for Ukraine. That supports lines, parts, and labor, not only shipments, which helps planners forecast supply over time. Related reading on Defense News Today: Sapsan Missile 2025 — Ukraine’s Strike Autonomy.
Taiwan Support: Indo-Pacific
The NDAA also backs an Asia-first focus. It provides $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative to deepen defense work as the US counters China’s military growth. It also supports steps in sensitive technology and defense supply chains, so the goal is an edge that lasts.
Middle East: Sanctions Shift
The bill sets $600m in security aid for Israel and supports joint missile-defense work, including Iron Dome-style projects. Meanwhile, it makes permanent an earlier move to ease some US sanctions on Syria, which supporters link to rebuilding after Bashar al-Assad’s removal.
Caribbean Strikes: Oversight
Lawmakers demanded more detail on strikes against suspected drug boats near Venezuela. They also pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide unedited strike video and the written orders behind the attacks. This requirement grew after scrutiny of a 2 September “double-tap” strike, where a second attack killed two people who survived the first.
As a result, Congress is tying paperwork and footage to freedom of action, even when the strikes occur outside declared war zones. For a public summary of the vote and the oversight language, read this Associated Press report. For regional context, see: U.S. Reopens Puerto Rico Naval Base—Signal to Venezuela.
US Defense Bills (2017–2026): Key NDAA Budget Trends
| Fiscal year | NDAA topline (US$bn) | YoY change (US$bn) | YoY % |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2017 | 611.2 | — | — |
| FY2018 | 692.1 | +80.9 | +13.2% |
| FY2019 | 716.0 | +23.9 | +3.5% |
| FY2020 | 738.0 | +22.0 | +3.1% |
| FY2021 | 740.5 | +2.5 | +0.3% |
| FY2022 | 777.7 | +37.2 | +5.0% |
| FY2023 | 857.9 | +80.2 | +10.3% |
| FY2024 | 883.7 | +25.8 | +3.0% |
| FY2025 | 895.2 | +11.5 | +1.3% |
| FY2026 | 901.0 | +5.8 | +0.6% |
War Powers, DEI, Climate Cuts
The NDAA repeals the 2003 Iraq war approval and the 1991 Gulf War approval. Backers say this reduces the risk of action under old legal cover, and it signals a new push to use Congress’s war powers. Finally, the bill removes DEI offices and training, with an estimate of about $40m in savings. It also cuts roughly $1.6bn from Pentagon climate work to focus on near-term warfighting needs, even though the military has flagged climate risks for bases.
Bottom line
If the US Senate passes the $901 billion defense bill, it may initially seem like a budget story for 2026, but the details reveal much more. Congress set troop floors, kept Ukraine support running through factories, and tightened oversight on strikes near Venezuela. Those rules will shape posture, planning, and political debate through FY2026.
Reference
- https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text
- https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2025/12/senate-voting-on-901-billion-defense-bill-that-pushes-hegseth-for-boat-strike-video/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-passes-901-billion-defense-policy-bill-2025-12-17/
- https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/senate-passes-901b-defense-authorization-bill-with-major-acquisition-reform-push/
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