House Narrowly Passes $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill That Would Rename Pentagon As Department Of War
The House narrowly passed the National Defense Authorization Act 216-212 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, authorizing $1.15 trillion in national security spending and including language that would rename the Pentagon the Department of War.[1]
The measure formalizes a Trump executive order, and the Congressional Budget Office projects the renaming could cost taxpayers up to $125 million.[1] It authorizes a 5 percent to 7 percent pay raise for service members next year, with the exact increase varying by rank.[1] The bill also bars gender-related medical care under the TRICARE military health program and eases hurdles for service members to carry privately owned firearms on base.[1] Republican leaders attached former President Donald Trump's SAVE America elections overhaul to the defense bill after passage, a move that intensified partisan opposition.[1] The White House applauded the spending levels and the Department of War designation but flagged concerns about provisions that could limit the president's authority to name military installations and property.[1]
House Republicans pushed the NDAA through as part of a last-day rush before a more-than-monthlong summer recess, moving several major measures in quick succession.[2] NPR's newsletter described the authorization as $1.1 trillion and said six Democrats joined House Republicans in the vote.[2] The renaming provision formalizes a Trump executive order and drew scrutiny over implementation costs and potential legal effects.[1]
PBS and House records cited $1.15 trillion.[1] NPR described the authorization as $1.1 trillion.[2]
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the House narrowly passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a 216–212 vote, incorporating President Donald Trump's request for a historic $1.15 trillion in national security spending (National Defense Authorization Act).
- NPR's newsletter reported that on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, House Republicans approved $1.1 trillion for the NDAA, with six Democrats joining Republicans in support (House Republicans).
- The bill includes statutory language to redesignate the Department of Defense as the Department of War—formalizing a Trump executive order—and the Congressional Budget Office projects the renaming could cost taxpayers up to $125 million (Department of War).
- The legislation authorizes a 5%–7% pay raise for service members next year, with the exact increase varying by rank (5%–7% pay raise).
- The bill contains a prohibition on gender-related medical care under the TRICARE military health program and provisions to ease hurdles for service members to carry privately owned firearms on base (TRICARE military health program).
- After passage, Republican leaders attached President Trump's SAVE America elections overhaul to the defense bill, intensifying partisan opposition (SAVE America elections overhaul).
- The White House publicly applauded the spending levels and the Department of War designation but flagged concerns about provisions that would limit the president's authority to name military installations and property (White House).
- NPR noted the NDAA action came as the House moved a series of major measures before a more‑than‑month‑long recess (NPR).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The NPR newsletter reports that on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, House Republicans approved $1.1 trillion for the National Defense Authorization Act, describing this as the chamber’s annual Pentagon authorization vote, with six Democrats joining Republicans in support.
- It notes that this NDAA action came as the House moved a series of major measures before a more than month‑long recess, framing the defense bill as part of that pre‑recess legislative push.
- On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the House passed its National Defense Authorization Act 216-212, incorporating President Donald Trump's request for a historic $1.15 trillion in national security spending.
- The House bill includes statutory language that would redesignate the Department of Defense as the Department of War, formalizing a Trump executive order; the Congressional Budget Office has projected the renaming could cost taxpayers up to $125 million.
- The legislation authorizes a 5%-7% pay raise for service members next year, with the exact increase varying by rank.
- The bill contains a prohibition on gender-related medical care under the TRICARE military health program and provisions to ease hurdles for service members to carry privately owned firearms on base.
- Republican leaders attached President Trump's SAVE America elections overhaul to the defense bill after passage, intensifying partisan opposition and tying the measure to broader election-law demands.
- The White House publicly applauded the spending levels and the Department of War designation but flagged concerns about provisions that would limit the president's authority to name military installations and property.